Met boss goes on 2012 study trip

Sir Paul said securing the Games was one of the Met's biggest challenges

The Metropolitan (Met) police chief is visiting South Africa to study security measures for next year's Football World Cup in preparation for the 2012 Games.

Sir Paul Stephenson will be briefed on security in place for the 2010 event, at Green Point Stadium in Cape Town.

Providing security for London Olympics was one of the biggest challenges faced by the new police chief, Sir Paul said.

Fears have been raised over security preparations being delayed due to wrangling over police's �600m budget.

Former Met assistant commissioner Tarique Ghaffur, who was in-charge of the Olympic security, had warned in December of delays in producing a master plan for security arrangements.

The new commissioner's trip is part of an exchange programme between Scotland Yard and the South African Police Service (SAPS).

Sir Paul will meet SAPS National Commissioner Jackie Selebi, British High Commissioner Paul Boateng, senior diplomats and police officers.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version