Olympics security failings cost G4S £50m

28 August 2012

Security firm G4S has revealed that the failure to provide enough trained security guards for the Olympic Games, forcing the deployment of thousands of military personnel, has cost it some £50m.

G4S was awarded a £284m contract by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) to provide 10,400 security personnel in time for the start of the games.

Just under a month before the Olympics began, it emerged that the company would be several thousand short of its targets, and 4,700 military personnel were deployed to the capital to help man checkpoints and secure Olympic venues.

In a statement, G4S said it had provided just under 8,000 trained personnel, and carried out 83 per cent of contracted shifts.

"We were deeply disappointed that we had significant issues with the London 2012 Olympics contract and are very grateful to the military and the police for their support in helping us to deliver a safe and secure Games," G4S chief executive Nick Buckles said.

"Clearly it is a big setback and we need to rebuild the brand over the coming months and years," he added. 



The company's failures in delivering the contract and spotting the shortages "in a more timely manner" are to be reviewed by consultancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers, the company's statement said.

It added that there were no anticipated problems with securing the Paralympic Games, which are set to begin on 29 August.