Ground-to-air missiles are to be sited on the roof of a block of flats (what North Americans call an "apartment complex") as part of a huge security operation to protect the London Olympics.
The 700 residents of the Lexington Building residential complex in Bow, east London, near to where the Games are being held, have received a leaflet warning them that a team of ten soldiers and police will be placed at the building for the duration of this summer’s Games.
It follows an announcement by Defence Secretary Philip Hammond in November that missiles might be used to safeguard the Olympic site.
Last night, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed the missiles would be deployed within the next few days. They describe them as ‘a useful deterrent’.
Resident Brian Whelan, a journalist, said the MoD leaflet says the missiles will be fired only as a last resort.
The missiles will be situated at the top of the building's water tower.
London will host the Summer Olympics - the XXXth Olympiad - for a world record third time from 27th July to 12 August and will host the Paralympics for the first time from 29th August to 9th September.
Surface-to-air missiles on top of flats to protect Olympics as part of huge security operation
By Daily Mail Reporter
29 April 2012
Daily Mail
The Lexington Building residential complex near the Olympic Park in Bow, east London, where a missile battery is to be installed. Photograph: Chris Helgren/Reuters
Ground-to-air missiles are to be sited on the roof of a block of flats near the Olympic site as part of a huge security operation to protect the Games.
The Army will station soldiers and high-velocity surface-to-air missiles on the residential block in East London to ward off airborne terror threats.
Residents in the private, gated flats in Bow have received a leaflet warning them that a team of ten soldiers and police will be placed at the building – home to 700 people – for the duration of this summer’s Games.
Warning: High-velocity surface-to-air missiles will be stationed on the residential block in East London to ward off airborne terror threats
Protection: Defence Secretary Philip Hammond saw some of the Rapier System ground-to-air missile launchers during a visit to RAF Waddington near Lincoln, earlier this year
It follows an announcement by Defence Secretary Philip Hammond in November that missiles might be used to safeguard the Olympic site.
Last night, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed the missiles would be deployed within the next few days. They describe them as ‘a useful deterrent’.
Resident Brian Whelan, a journalist, said the MoD leaflet says the missiles will be fired only as a last resort.
He said: ‘They are going to have a test run next week, putting high-velocity missiles on the roof just above our apartment. They’re stationing police and military in the tower of the building for two months.
‘It’s a private, gated community with an old watch tower which is now a lift shaft.
Target: Security agencies fear the Olympic site in Stratford, east London, will be targeted by terrorists and are preparing for a range of difference scenarios
‘We have an MoD leaflet saying the building is the only suitable place in the area. It says there will be ten officers plus police present 24/7. I’m not sure if they are going to live in the building. We have a gym and a pool and people have seen them there so it makes you think it will be some sort of Army base – it’s not ideal.
‘The property management company which runs the place put up posters and gave out the leaflets today.
‘The general tone was, “Great news, aren’t we lucky”, but that’s not normal, it’s not something people should have put on them.
‘I’ve looked these up [the missiles] and I don’t think they’re the kind of thing you can fire over a highly populated area like Tower Hamlets, think of the debris.’
Mr Whelan said the leaflet poses a series of questions residents might ask, such as: ‘Will this make me a target for terrorists?’
The 28-year-old said: ‘But the answer on it is that we will be safer with it here.
‘From the few people I’ve spoken to, and the security we have here, they’re not happy about it. I don’t think it needs to be here at all.’
Read more: London 2012 Olympics: Surface-to-air missiles on top of flats as part of huge security operation | Mail Online
The 700 residents of the Lexington Building residential complex in Bow, east London, near to where the Games are being held, have received a leaflet warning them that a team of ten soldiers and police will be placed at the building for the duration of this summer’s Games.
It follows an announcement by Defence Secretary Philip Hammond in November that missiles might be used to safeguard the Olympic site.
Last night, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed the missiles would be deployed within the next few days. They describe them as ‘a useful deterrent’.
Resident Brian Whelan, a journalist, said the MoD leaflet says the missiles will be fired only as a last resort.
The missiles will be situated at the top of the building's water tower.
London will host the Summer Olympics - the XXXth Olympiad - for a world record third time from 27th July to 12 August and will host the Paralympics for the first time from 29th August to 9th September.
Surface-to-air missiles on top of flats to protect Olympics as part of huge security operation
By Daily Mail Reporter
29 April 2012
Daily Mail
The Lexington Building residential complex near the Olympic Park in Bow, east London, where a missile battery is to be installed. Photograph: Chris Helgren/Reuters
Ground-to-air missiles are to be sited on the roof of a block of flats near the Olympic site as part of a huge security operation to protect the Games.
The Army will station soldiers and high-velocity surface-to-air missiles on the residential block in East London to ward off airborne terror threats.
Residents in the private, gated flats in Bow have received a leaflet warning them that a team of ten soldiers and police will be placed at the building – home to 700 people – for the duration of this summer’s Games.
Warning: High-velocity surface-to-air missiles will be stationed on the residential block in East London to ward off airborne terror threats
Protection: Defence Secretary Philip Hammond saw some of the Rapier System ground-to-air missile launchers during a visit to RAF Waddington near Lincoln, earlier this year
It follows an announcement by Defence Secretary Philip Hammond in November that missiles might be used to safeguard the Olympic site.
Last night, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed the missiles would be deployed within the next few days. They describe them as ‘a useful deterrent’.
Resident Brian Whelan, a journalist, said the MoD leaflet says the missiles will be fired only as a last resort.
He said: ‘They are going to have a test run next week, putting high-velocity missiles on the roof just above our apartment. They’re stationing police and military in the tower of the building for two months.
‘It’s a private, gated community with an old watch tower which is now a lift shaft.
Target: Security agencies fear the Olympic site in Stratford, east London, will be targeted by terrorists and are preparing for a range of difference scenarios
‘We have an MoD leaflet saying the building is the only suitable place in the area. It says there will be ten officers plus police present 24/7. I’m not sure if they are going to live in the building. We have a gym and a pool and people have seen them there so it makes you think it will be some sort of Army base – it’s not ideal.
‘The property management company which runs the place put up posters and gave out the leaflets today.
‘The general tone was, “Great news, aren’t we lucky”, but that’s not normal, it’s not something people should have put on them.
‘I’ve looked these up [the missiles] and I don’t think they’re the kind of thing you can fire over a highly populated area like Tower Hamlets, think of the debris.’
Mr Whelan said the leaflet poses a series of questions residents might ask, such as: ‘Will this make me a target for terrorists?’
The 28-year-old said: ‘But the answer on it is that we will be safer with it here.
‘From the few people I’ve spoken to, and the security we have here, they’re not happy about it. I don’t think it needs to be here at all.’
Read more: London 2012 Olympics: Surface-to-air missiles on top of flats as part of huge security operation | Mail Online
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