MILITARY chiefs have played down the threat of a dirty bomb attack in Dorset but said that Olympic sites could be potential targets for terrorists.

It has been reported that Olympic venues outside London including the Weymouth and Portland 2012 Sailing venue could be potential targets for terrorists using dirty bombs and other tactics and that a 1,000 strong ‘rapid reaction’ team had been set up to help with a ‘mass casualty incident’ during next summer’s Games.

But a spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said that Olympic planning and preparation was still being discussed and no plans were set in stone yet.

He said: “The MoD has been fully involved in Olympic security planning work and it is anticipated that the armed forces, at the request of the civilian authorities, will provide some specialist support including the use of assets where appropriate.”

The spokesman added that Olympic and Paralympic planning was led by the police and that the military would provide a supporting role if needed.

He said: “It is too early to talk about the numbers of personnel who may be involved or further details around precisely what support the MoD might provide – but ongoing planning to meet a range of contingencies is sensible.

“This work is not in response to any specific threat but, as the Defence Secretary said in Parliament, all necessary measures to ensure the security and safety of the London Olympic Games will be taken.” In June this year Dorset Police announced they had secured £19million towards the estimated £30million cost of security for the 2012 Games.

Planning for the Olympic and Paralympic sailing events has been underway since the UK won the bid for the global event back in 2005.

County Councillor for Portland Harbour division Tim Munro said: “I think generally the public realise if you have a global event then there is going to be the risk of demonstrations or a more serious terrorist threat.

“I know Dorset Police and the military have been looking at security for five years. They will have left no stone unturned.”

He added: “They will take into account all the possibilities and I am confident they will put everything in place to make sure everything runs smoothly.”

Various exercises to test capabilities have been carried out this year, including a Dorset Police security test in Weymouth Bay during the Sail for Gold regatta, which involved the Royal Navy, the South Western Ambulance Service, Portland Coastguard and Dorset Fire and Rescue Service.

Speaking at the time Chief Superintendent David Griffith, of the Dorset Police Olympic and Paralympic Security Team, said: “We aim to create a resilient Games and make sure it remains a celebration of sport.”

Then in October emergency services staged a mock terrorist attack at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy as part of a multi-agency training session.

A team of actors pretended to fall ill after breathing in chemicals and a suspected bomb was also part of the dramatisation staged at Osprey Quay. Both exercises were hailed as a success.