London Olympic security budget to be slashed

The British government said it plans to slash security funding for the 2012 Olympic Games in London by up to £125 million

The Home Office revealed it intends to cut the £600-million Olympic security budget, which was drawn up to protect the Games from the risk of terrorist attacks.
“At this stage, with almost two years before the Games begin, we estimate that it should be possible to deliver the core cross-Government safety and security programme for about £475 million,” police minister Nick Herbert wrote in a statement released to the parliament.
London 2012 chief executive Paul Deighton was adamant the cuts would not jeopardize the Games.
“I'm completely confident all the risks have been covered,” he was quoted as saying by the Associated Press.
Despite the planned savings, the Home Office said it had allocated £280 million towards the security of venues. The money, which is separate from the original budget, is set to cover security area such as fencing, perimeter searches and bag screening.