Olympic Security Operation

July 2012 

In London, British Royal Marines have been conducting operational exercises with the Marine Policing Unit of the Metropolitan Police.

Marines from the 539 Assault Squadron have been on the Thames River near Woolwich Arsenal Pier to shore up safety and security just prior to the London Olympics.

Nearly 100 Royal Marines have been practicing a variety of tactics on various marine vessels, including both Offshore Raiding Craft and Landing Craft. The Royal Navy has supplied two vessels to support the training effort.

The primary purpose of these exercises is to familiarize operators with the micro-territory they will be assigned to protect during the games. Though not a geographically large area, urban rivers can present quite a challenge to security personnel. This training is aimed to make sure all participants involves have an intimate knowledge of how the river functions, and how to cooperate with Marine Police Unit tactics.