The claim was made by David Dickinson, the chief executive of the British Security Industry Association, as the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) announced a security day.

 

It follows the decision by the ODA for the separate procurement packages originally announced to be combined to form one integrated solution, which will now be referred to as the Command and Perimeter Security System (CPSS).

 

CPSS will provide perimeter and vulnerable point security. It will include a range of perimeter security subsystems such as CCTV, alarms, access controls, and command and control and other crucial security functions.

 

Dickinson said: "Although we are four away time is of the essence.

 

"It's going to be a most fantastic showcase for security.

 

"It's a real chance for the security guarding sector to demonstrate that it actually is an important resource in public reassurance and safety.

 

"We don't want to be second-class cops; we want to be first-class support."

 

The ODA said the supplier appointed will be responsible for the management, maintenance and integration of the overall system, much of which will be installed by other contractors, to ensure a robust, reliable, scalable and secure delivery.

 

David Evans, the BSIA's 2012 director, said that London's winning bid for the Olympics gave a figure of 6,500 security guards at the Games, compared to 45,000 for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

 

Evans warned there is important the industry acts now to plug any potential short-fall at the time of the Games.

 

He said:  "If you look at almost all the major Games in the last ten years, including Commonwealth and local games, private security has failed to deliver the manpower requirements at Games time; so it is essential that we know what the gap is now, and plan."

For more details on the security day e-mail [email protected] by 10am on June 3 to register an application.