25 May 2012

NYPD chief gives London thumbs up for security

5:16 am on 25 May 2012

New York's police chief is impressed with security planning for the London Olympics, rejecting suggestions that US officials were concerned about arrangements for the games.

Commissioner Raymond Kelly said London's police and security planning was far more comprehensive and organised than had been the case for the Atlanta games in 1996 in which he was personally involved in a federal government role.

Kelly says they really have a handle on just about any contingency that might take place.

Last November, the United States denied that there had been a diplomatic row over Olympic security planning, following a newspaper claim that 1,000 agents including some 500 from the FBI, would be sent to protect US athletes and officials.