24/07/2012
G4S Staff Allegedly Allowed To 'Cheat' On X-Ray Scanner Tests
G4S security staff are allegedly being allowed to “cheat” their way through tests for operating bomb and weapons detecting x-ray machines, further questioning the credibility of the Olympic security operation.
The Guardian has reported that trainees who fail the test are not only being given repeated opportunities to get the right answers to the same questions, but are also being allowed to confer with others during the exams, under the noses of instructors.
The newspaper goes on to allege that recruits are being given only 20 minutes' practice on the real x-ray machines that will be used at the Olympic venues to stop visitors bringing in dangerous materials, or possibly an IED (improvised explosive device).
In response G4S has insisted that it has followed industry standards and that the tests were designed and approved by the Olympic organisers, Locog. Adding that it was not "uncommon or wrong" for trainees to repeat tests.
It is understood that concerns over the proper staffing of x-ray machines was raised on Monday during the government’s Cobra meeting, which involved senior ministers and Olympic Games officials.
Security at the Games has been a growing concern since it came to light that G4S had failed to supply the needed number of security staff, with the army and the police being drafted in to make up the numbers.
Now with the opening ceremony just days away, it is believed the police and armed forces have now been asked to "scope out" whether they can undertake more x-ray duties, and run the CCTV monitors too, if G4S cannot supply the numbers needed to operate the machines.
(H)
The Guardian has reported that trainees who fail the test are not only being given repeated opportunities to get the right answers to the same questions, but are also being allowed to confer with others during the exams, under the noses of instructors.
The newspaper goes on to allege that recruits are being given only 20 minutes' practice on the real x-ray machines that will be used at the Olympic venues to stop visitors bringing in dangerous materials, or possibly an IED (improvised explosive device).
In response G4S has insisted that it has followed industry standards and that the tests were designed and approved by the Olympic organisers, Locog. Adding that it was not "uncommon or wrong" for trainees to repeat tests.
It is understood that concerns over the proper staffing of x-ray machines was raised on Monday during the government’s Cobra meeting, which involved senior ministers and Olympic Games officials.
Security at the Games has been a growing concern since it came to light that G4S had failed to supply the needed number of security staff, with the army and the police being drafted in to make up the numbers.
Now with the opening ceremony just days away, it is believed the police and armed forces have now been asked to "scope out" whether they can undertake more x-ray duties, and run the CCTV monitors too, if G4S cannot supply the numbers needed to operate the machines.
(H)
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17 July 2012
G4S Chief Executive Regrets Taking Olympic Contract
The chief executive of security firm G4S, Nick Buckles, has said he regrets that the firm ever took on the Olympic security contract. Telling the Home Affairs Select Committee that G4S had taken on the contract to enhance its reputation, he agreed it has become a "humiliating shambles".
G4S Chief Executive Regrets Taking Olympic Contract
The chief executive of security firm G4S, Nick Buckles, has said he regrets that the firm ever took on the Olympic security contract. Telling the Home Affairs Select Committee that G4S had taken on the contract to enhance its reputation, he agreed it has become a "humiliating shambles".
12 February 2013
G4S Lose £70m Over Olympic Security Failures
Losses incurred by security firm G4S, who were contracted to provide security for the London 2012 Olympics, have risen to an estimated £70m after reaching a compensation agreement with the Games’ organising committee, Locog.
G4S Lose £70m Over Olympic Security Failures
Losses incurred by security firm G4S, who were contracted to provide security for the London 2012 Olympics, have risen to an estimated £70m after reaching a compensation agreement with the Games’ organising committee, Locog.
28 September 2012
G4S Bosses Resign After Olympic Security Review
Following a MPs committee review of the Olympic Games security contract, two G4S have resigned. David Taylor-Smith, chief operating officer, and Ian Horseman Sewell, a managing director, have now left the company. Chief executive Nick Buckles, the public face of the company, however, has kept his job.
G4S Bosses Resign After Olympic Security Review
Following a MPs committee review of the Olympic Games security contract, two G4S have resigned. David Taylor-Smith, chief operating officer, and Ian Horseman Sewell, a managing director, have now left the company. Chief executive Nick Buckles, the public face of the company, however, has kept his job.
21 September 2012
G4S Should Forgo £57m Olympic Security Fee MPs Say
After failing to supply the required number of Olympics security staff G4S should forgo its £57m management fee, a committee of MPs has said. In a report on Olympics security, the Home Affairs Committee go on to argue that G4S should also compensate people who were accredited for Olympics work with the firm but not given any shifts.
G4S Should Forgo £57m Olympic Security Fee MPs Say
After failing to supply the required number of Olympics security staff G4S should forgo its £57m management fee, a committee of MPs has said. In a report on Olympics security, the Home Affairs Committee go on to argue that G4S should also compensate people who were accredited for Olympics work with the firm but not given any shifts.
16 July 2012
G4S Shares Drop 9% Amid Olympic Security Problems
Shares in security provider G4S fell 9% after announcing that it had failed to recruit enough security staff for the Olympic Games, and could face up to a £50m loss on its contract. Late on Friday, G4S said it faced a £35m-£50m loss on the £284m contract after admitting that it did not have enough staff to cover the Games.
G4S Shares Drop 9% Amid Olympic Security Problems
Shares in security provider G4S fell 9% after announcing that it had failed to recruit enough security staff for the Olympic Games, and could face up to a £50m loss on its contract. Late on Friday, G4S said it faced a £35m-£50m loss on the £284m contract after admitting that it did not have enough staff to cover the Games.