Worried by the planned cut in security budgets, the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) has stressed the important role of the private security industry in securing the London 2012 Olympic Games, following the concerns expressed over event security by London Mayor, Mr. Boris Johnson. At the recent London Assembly, Johnson cited public sector budget cuts as a main area of concern, and vowed to fight hard to protect the £600m budget for Olympic Security.

"We have got to understand how big it's going to be and have the necessary precautions in place." He said.

Mr David Evans, the BSIA's Project Director for 2012, reinforces the importance of the continued involvement of the private security industry in planning for 2012. He said: "As the leading trade association representing the UK's private security industry, the BSIA has been at the forefront of security planning for London 2012. Working alongside Government departments such as the Olympic Security Directorate (OSD) and Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA), as well as the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG), the BSIA has helped to identify both the opportunities and challenges that both public and private sectors will face in securing the Games.”

Evans added: "Companies from across the BSIA's 17 sections of membership have extensive experience in securing sporting events, both large and small. Crowd management, leisure industry security, CCTV, close protection and security guarding all have their roles to play in ensuring events run smoothly and safely, and the BSIA's work alongside the public sector.”