Olympic Park to get electrical fence

LONDON, July 5 (UPI) -- The Olympic Park for the 2012 Olympics in London will be surrounded by a 13-foot-high electrical fence, Olympic authorities say.

David Higgins, chief executive of the Olympic Delivery Authority, assured the public the fence would not pose a threat to innocent bystanders or wildlife, The Times of London reported Saturday. The fence will produce a short shock to those who make contact with it, the British newspaper said.

The main reason for the fence is to augment security at the Olympic site, which also will have security guards and vehicle screenings.

"Given the size of the site and high profile of the Olympic project it is also important to have a perimeter fence that is an effective deterrent while also safe for the local community who live nearby," Higgins said.

Meanwhile, Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur told the Times additional security personnel were still being sought to protect the 2012 Games.

"We can look at our retired officers and see if we can bring them back. We can use people in the private sector and use the special constabulary and bring in more volunteers," he said.