24/07/2012

G4S Staff Allegedly Allowed To 'Cheat' On X-Ray Scanner Tests

G4S security staff are allegedly being allowed to “cheat” their way through tests for operating bomb and weapons detecting x-ray machines, further questioning the credibility of the Olympic security operation.

The Guardian has reported that trainees who fail the test are not only being given repeated opportunities to get the right answers to the same questions, but are also being allowed to confer with others during the exams, under the noses of instructors.

The newspaper goes on to allege that recruits are being given only 20 minutes' practice on the real x-ray machines that will be used at the Olympic venues to stop visitors bringing in dangerous materials, or possibly an IED (improvised explosive device).

In response G4S has insisted that it has followed industry standards and that the tests were designed and approved by the Olympic organisers, Locog. Adding that it was not "uncommon or wrong" for trainees to repeat tests.

It is understood that concerns over the proper staffing of x-ray machines was raised on Monday during the government’s Cobra meeting, which involved senior ministers and Olympic Games officials.

Security at the Games has been a growing concern since it came to light that G4S had failed to supply the needed number of security staff, with the army and the police being drafted in to make up the numbers.

Now with the opening ceremony just days away, it is believed the police and armed forces have now been asked to "scope out" whether they can undertake more x-ray duties, and run the CCTV monitors too, if G4S cannot supply the numbers needed to operate the machines.

(H)

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