2,000 part-time troops to be deployed for London Olympics security over terror attack fears

London, Feb 21 (ANI): An army of 2,000 part-time troops would reportedly be brought in to boost security at the London Olympics amid growing fears of a terror attack.

The Territorial Army reservists will help make up a force of 13,500 military personnel, more than the 10,000 currently deployed to Afghanistan, Express.co.uk reports.

The majority will be used to support the Olympic venue security operations.

Reports suggest that Britain's biggest counter-­terrorism exercise will be staged in central London this week to test plans to deal with an attack during the Olympics.

The Games will see the biggest-ever peacetime security operation in Britain - with a 23,700-strong security force. They will also include private security guards and at least 3,000 unpaid London 2012 volunteers who will be used at the start of the security process.

Many of the military personnel, including elements from the special forces, will be armed.

The Territorial Army reservists will help make up a force of 13,500 military personnel

Royal Navy warships with laser-guided missiles will be deployed if deemed "operationally necessary", it was announced last year. RAF jets will also be placed on standby.

Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Cressida Dick - National Director of Counter Terrorist Policing during the Games - described the exercise as "one of the extreme scenarios that we could face".

"This exercise and its scenario is not as a specific result of intelligence. The ­scenario has been planned for many, many months. We will be doing our very best to prevent such an attack but it would only be right that we test our response," she said.

"This is one of several tests and exercises that we have been doing and will be doing over the coming months," she added. (ANI)