7:04PM, Tue Jul 17, 2012

Northumbria Police Called In To Cover For 'Shambolic' G4S Blunder

By Andy Hughes Location: Newcastle

Video: 'It's a disgraceful situation'

Northumbria Police has been called in to provide extra security ahead of the Olympic Games after G4S failed to provide enough staff to cover Tyne and Wear.

Around 58 staff from the security firm were due to arrive at the Hilton Hotel on Gateshead Quayside on Saturday, July 14, to provide security ahead of the Olympic football teams arriving.

But Sky Tyne and Wear has learned that less than 10 showed up, and Northumbria Police have been forced to fill in.

It comes as G4S faces a countrywide shortfall of staff, and means some police officers are being made to work on rest days.

Northumbria Police Federation has described the security firm’s blunder as "shambolic".

Chairman Charlie Munro said: "We are an emergency service and of course we will provide cover. The situation really is shambolic.

"I really think G4S needs to be looked at. They are a very big organisation and they’ve had long enough to plan for this. It really doesn’t fill us with confidence."

A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: "We continue to work closely with LOCOG and G4S as the games security regime is implemented ahead of the Games.

"Northumbria officers are supporting LOCOG's venue security operation by providing officers to enhance the security arrangements in place, operating to the tight timescales needed to deliver the defensive search regime at venues in our area.

"Delivering a safe and secure games is our top priority and we are working closely with our partners to deliver an end to end security operation.

"As part of our planning for the games we have been sure to build contingency and resilience into our resourcing and while this deployment requires some of our officers to work on rest days we have the capacity to meet this task and we will not compromise on keeping the streets and our local communities safe."

A spokesperson for G4S said: "As the games get closer, security is being tightened at venues around the UK, before the full complement of accredited staff have been assigned.

"Some venues are being supported by police in the short-term while the private security workforce is being mobilised.

"This situation is being rectified over the coming days, which should lead to the withdrawal of police from those roles assigned to private security."