London: Residents of some of the London apartments will get troops and surface-to-air missiles on their rooftops for the Summer Olympics to help combat airborne terror threats to the Olympic Games, which will be hosted from July 27 to August 12 this year. British security officials identified potential sites for the missiles on Monday and announced plans for security tests during the week.
The potential sites include Lexington Building in Tower Hamlets, the Fred Wigg Tower in Waltham Forest, Blackheath Common, Oxleas Wood, the William Girling Reservoir and Barn Hill in Epping Forest.
News of one of the sites leaked out over the weekend when a journalist who lives in one of the buildings found a flyer notifying residents of the plan.
"From the few people I've spoken to, and the security we have here, they're not happy about it," said Brian Whelan. "I don't think it needs to be here at all."
Around 700 people living at Whelan's building in Bow - about 3.2 kilometers from London's Olympic Stadium - have been contacted and warned that the weapons and about 10 troops are likely to be based at the site for around two months.
In the leaflet, the defense ministry said the venue offered an uncluttered "view of the surrounding areas and the entire sky above the Olympic Park." Troops plan to conduct tests this week at the building to determine if the high velocity surface-to-air missiles will be stationed on a water tower attached to the site's roof.
"The majority of this exercise will be played out in full view of the public and I hope that it will have a secondary effect of reassuring the British people that everything possible is being done to ensure this will be a safe and secure Olympic and Paralympic Games," said Defense Secretary Philip Hammond.
Britain has previously confirmed that up to 13,500 troops are being deployed on land, at sea and in the air to help protect the Olympics alongside police and security guards. Typhoon fighter jets, helicopters, two warships and bomb disposal experts will be a part of the security operation.
The potential sites include Lexington Building in Tower Hamlets, the Fred Wigg Tower in Waltham Forest, Blackheath Common, Oxleas Wood, the William Girling Reservoir and Barn Hill in Epping Forest.
News of one of the sites leaked out over the weekend when a journalist who lives in one of the buildings found a flyer notifying residents of the plan.
Around 700 people living at Whelan's building in Bow - about 3.2 kilometers from London's Olympic Stadium - have been contacted and warned that the weapons and about 10 troops are likely to be based at the site for around two months.
Advertisement
"The majority of this exercise will be played out in full view of the public and I hope that it will have a secondary effect of reassuring the British people that everything possible is being done to ensure this will be a safe and secure Olympic and Paralympic Games," said Defense Secretary Philip Hammond.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
"Coaches Should Get Weightage": Olympic Medal-Winning Shooter Vijay Kumar "Big Room Full Of Condoms...": In Olympic Games Village, Ex Manchester City Star's 'Incredible' Experience Oscar Pistorius: Olympian Hero Turned Disgraced Killer Who Is Jasveen Sangha, "Ketamine Queen" Charged With Matthew Perry's Death "Don't Expect Anything From Me": Kolkata Hospital's New Principal Loses Cool Nurse Raped, Killed On Way Home, Body Found 9 Days Later In UP President, PM Pay Tributes To Atal Bihari Vajpayee On Death Anniversary Chinese Woman's Refusal To Stow Louis Vuitton Bag Causes Major Flight Delay 2,000 Meth Pills, "Ketamine Lollipops": Inside Jasveen Sangha's "Drug Emporium" Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.