More troops added at London Olympics

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LONDON, July 24 (UPI) -- With Opening Ceremonies of the 2012 London Olympics Friday, the British government has deployed an additional 1,200 armed troops to beef up security.

The addition brings to 18,200 the number of military personnel committed to provide security and bag checks at venues of the Summer Games, The Daily Telegraph reported Tuesday.

British Prime Minister David Cameron and the Cabinet Committee for the Olympics decided to increase the troop presence as a "precautionary measure" after G4S, the company hired to provide security at Olympic venues, failed to hire all the 10,400 workers it was contracted to provide.

G4S added an additional 1,100 workers Monday and will have 5,800 temporary security guards providing security and bag checks at Olympic venues, Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt said. G4S indicated 1,000 more security guards would be available before the games formally open.

The extra armed troops being deployed are in addition to 13,000 Metropolitan Police officers who will patrol London streets during the 17 days of the games.

"With just three days to go the opening ceremony and all indicates that this weekend will be particularly busy, we didn't want to leave anything to chance," Hunt said. "It is better to have the troops on the ground so they can be brought into active duties."