London 2012 blog

The London 2012 security department joined the Metropolitan Police Service and members of the national press and media for the first public sighting of the Met's new "Special Operations Room" in Lambeth last Friday.

The room - known by police officers as "GT" - contains a range of specialist equipment (it already has access to over 10,000 CCTV cameras) and represents a huge step forward in the emergency services' capabilities.

"GT" was originally based in New Scotland Yard but the new facility enlarges its capacity by an extra 400%.

At the launch Commander Simon Foy commented that the room would "put London and the Met in the 21st century" and that it was developed "with the Olympics in mind".

Yesterday's London Marathon was the first event to test its facilities; the room and its facilities were a resounding success. Eventually "GT" will handle over 500 public order events each year, including major sports events taking place in the Capital.

This development is a huge step forward for all planners focusing on the security of the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.