| 23 January 2012
The Police and the Royal Marines conduct a security exercise on the river thames in preparation for the 2012 olympic games. Terry Seward/MoD
Vigilance can report that Royal Marines from 539 Assault Squadron (539 ASRM) have been exercising with the Metropolitan Police Marine Policing Unit (MPU) on the River Thames near Woolwich Arsenal Pier as part of Olympic safety and security planning for the London Olympics.
Almost one hundred Royal Marines have been honing their tactics, with a variety of marine craft including Offshore Raiding Craft and Landing Craft. During the exercise a Royal Navy Lynx and the Patrol Boat HMS Blazer have been in support.
According to a source at the MoD the series of familiarisation exercises taking place are helping to develop the safety and security operation for the River Thames, adding they have been designed to make sure that everyone has the same level of knowledge about the how the River operates and how the military and MPU tactics work together.
Major Paul ‘Stits’ Stitson, Second in Command 539 ASRM, said: “The Royal Marines have used a variety of boat and air assets, working successfully in support of the Metropolitan Police. “During the exercise we tested and developed responses to potential security threats that may arise during the Games this summer.”
Assistant Commissioner Chris Allison, National Olympic Security Coordinator, said: “All of our planning is designed to mitigate against potential risks during the summer of 2012, and this is an example of where we will be using specialist military capability to support us. This exercise is not in response to any specific threat, but is part of our planning to pre-deploy certain specialist assets to bolster our operation.”
Adding: “This will be a summer like no other in London. The Thames runs through the very heart of our Capital and will be a popular place for people who want to be part of Olympic spirit. This is all part of our planning to ensure this summer’s events take place safely and securely.”
Secretary of State for Defence, Philip Hammond MP, said: “As we get closer to the Games, the public can expect to see more exercises like this, which I hope will provide reassurance that everything possible is being done to ensure the event is safe, secure and enjoyable for all those attending and participating.”
Hammond added: “This exercise is an example of the way in which military personnel and assets will support the police-led security effort for this year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games. London 2012 will be a once-in-a-generation event for the UK, and the Armed Forces are proud to play their part.”