France, Britain vow to jointly defend Olympic security

UK and France cooperating to boost Olympic security Paris – Agencies Britain's new Ambassador to France, Peter Ricketts told local media on Wednesday in Paris that the British government will work closely with France to boost Olympic security. In an interview with the French TV station, FRANCE 24, the new ambassador, a former British national security advisor to the prime minister, stressed that France and Britain would be cooperating fully over the coming months to try and prevent any attack.
The ambassador said that: "The threat of terrorism is something the two countries have to face together...we had been working together closely even before Toulouse but this will only strengthen the work we do together across the whole counter-terrorism area."
He added that: "London is no stranger to terror attacks after the 2005 Underground bombings but existing fears the sporting event could be a target for terrorists have increased after last month's shocking events in Toulouse and Montauban.”
These attacks demonstrated exactly the kind of terrorist threat the British authorities fear could rear its uglyhead at the Olympics, the French channel said. The two countries have decided to work closely to avert this type of terror attack.
The ambassador observed that: "There's no information of a specific threat from France or anywhere in particular; there are just heightened precautions in a period when an awful lot of people will be coming to the UK for a very high-profile event."
He added: "There is a constant exchange of information on movements of people who might be of concern. We have regular meetings and daily cooperation across the whole security sector."
The French news channel also reported that the ambassador had earlier in February visited the Channel port of Calais. Calais will no doubt be severely tested as the event Olympics approach as thousands of extra visitors from all over Europe are expected to pour through the Channel port on their way to Britain before and during the Games.
The report noted: "The border controls are just one aspect of a joint security operation in place to thwart any terrorists with plans to disrupt the Games."
France and Britain will be hoping the security collaboration works smoothly as the two countries may have to do it all over again. British prime minister David Cameron and French president Nicolas Sarkozy paved the way for closer cooperation on security when they signed the landmark joint defence treaty in 2010.
The ambassador said that: "With budgets tight it makes more and more sense for the two country's armed forces to work together when necessary".
It is estimated that around half a million spectators are set to attend London Olympic Games and they will be joined by 17,000 competitors and 20,000 journalists.
France 24 also added that Britain is preparing to implement its biggest security operation on home soil since World War II, involving more than 20,000 security staff on duty during the 17-day games, supported by 3,800 M15 special agents and 13,500 military personnel. Two Royal Navy warships will be also be on call throughout the Games, ready to respond in the event of an attack.