Jets and snipers in helicopters to guard Olympics

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They will be based on HMS Ocean, the largest ship in the Navy, anchored in the Thames off Greenwich.

Fast jets will also be located just outside London so they can be scrambled to the Olympic site within minutes to stop any terrorist plane attack.

Typhoon planes, which saw action over Libya, will be moved to RAF Northolt from bases in Scotland or Lincolnshire for the duration of the Games.

Rapier air-defence missiles will be located in London to protect the capital. A 1,000-strong quick reaction force will also be on stand-by to respond to a terror attack or other civil emergencies.

"Next year's Olympic and Paralympic Games are once-in-a-generation events for the UK," Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said today, adding: "We want them to be secure, so that all those competing and attending can enjoy the Games."
The three services will provide up to 13,500 personnel for the Games.

He added: "I have no doubt that they will do a fantastic job - and I look forward to their professionalism and agility being on show on the world stage once again," Mr Hammond said.

About 7,500 armed forces members will work as security guards at the Olympic venues. Royal Marines will be based on HMS Ocean, which led attacks against Colonel Gaddafi's regime this year, and they will be flown by helicopter to deal with any threat. They will also patrol along the Thames.

Meanwhile, HMS Bulwark and Royal Fleet Auxiliary Mounts Bay will patrol off Weymouth.

Special forces will also be placed on high alert, as well as military explosive disposal teams and units with dogs to search vehicles and buildings.
David Cameron yesterday chaired an Olympics "stock-take" meeting in Downing Street as the whole of Government, including MI5 and MI6, shifts its focus onto delivering a successful Olympics.

Ministers recently doubled the budget for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic ceremonies to more than £80 million after Mr Cameron saw the plans. The venue security allocation has also been dramatically increased by £271 million to £553 million after the number of security guards was revised up to 23,700, more than double the original estimate of 10,000.