CONCERNS are mounting about whether there will be enough money to fund the security operation for the 2012 Olympics in Weymouth and Portland.
The Dorset Police Federation – which represents rank and file officers – has ‘strong reservations’ about the commitment of the government as no firm details have yet to be released about the funding.
With two years to go until the sailing events commence, the federation is demanding answers.
Chairman Clive Chamberlain said he was increasingly concerned in the light of comments made by Olympics minister Hugh Robertson, who said the budget for security at the Games was not protected from the coalition government’s spending cuts.
The estimated security budget for Weymouth and Portland is £38million, but this is likely to change. Chief Constable Martin Baker has made assurances that there will be no effect on taxpayers.
Mr Chamberlain said: “We still haven’t been told what we’re going to get and it seems to me there is no sense of priority or urgency from the people holding the purse strings. “I have every faith in Dorset Police that they will do this properly provided they are given the funding but they need to start putting things into operation now.
“The worst case scenario is that there will be a terrorist attack. The people responsible will be planning that now.”
Chief Superintendent David Griffith of Dorset Police said: “This will be a changing environment right up until the Games and it will not be possible to keep up a commentary on increases and decreases in police numbers.
“As the numbers of staff is not finalised then it is not possible to cost the additional funding required.”
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