JOINT Military Commander of Dorset Brigadier Piers Hankinson said there had been extensive planning between Dorset Police, the military and Dorset County Council to coordinate land-based security arrangements.

He said: “The Olympic Guardian exercise in Weymouth and Portland is critical to ensuring that the military elements are ready to contribute to the security efforts. As a result, this week and during the Games, the people of Weymouth and Portland will see military personnel in and around both Chickerell and Wyke Regis camps, and also on MOD land on Portland.”

He added: “They will be unarmed and are conducting a role in support of the police and Olympic organisers, roles that may be required during the Games.

“This exer-cise is part of our familiarisation and training – it also allows an opportunity for building relationships and teamwork.”

He added that as well as specialist military capabilities like bomb disposal, other land-based capabilities on exercise included the Military Contingency Force.

Currently 100 soldiers are practising deployment with the police, although during the Games 1,000 soldiers will be on standby in London. There will be 200 army personnel based in Weymouth during the Games, providing venue security, made up of the Dorset Royal Wessex Yeomanry, reservists and Territorial Army officers.

In addition there will be 50 military staff at the Winfrith police headquarters in administrative roles, while on the water 700 to 800 military personnel will be deployed.

Force's security pledge

CHIEF Constable of Dorset Police Martin Baker said the force would be providing a visible security presence. He said Dorset Police had a long standing and well developed relationship with the other organisations involved.

But he said the focus was very much on the sport and making sure spectators enjoyed the Games.

He said: “It's a sporting event not a security one.”