Torch lessons for 2012 Olympic security

by Amy Judd | April 10, 2008 at 05:22 pm

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The security team for London's 2012 Olympics say they have learned a lot from watching the recent protests around the world against the Olympic torch, and will be making necessary adjustments to their policing skills.

Thirty-seven arrests were made after clashes between pro-Tibet protesters and police, and repeated attempts were made to breach the security cordon.

Now Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur, who heads up London's Olympic security directorate, has said that "a formal debrief" is to be held around the days events.

"Could the route have been shortened? This is one of the issues I am reflecting on," he told the BBC at a World Sports Law Report event in London.

"Our tactical plan worked. It was to protect the torch and bearer and to make sure it went through the route. It did, and on time.

Police had a priority to protect the safety of those and to ensure that there were no serious injuries, he said.

"We allowed peaceful protest as much as we could under the circumstances.