ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the Olympic-related planning, preparations and activities of Newham police within the immediate Olympic environs of Stratford. Newham police were faced with a variety of shifting challenges and risks in and around Olympic Park. These had multiple potential sources, ranging from local petty criminals, terrorist bombers, disorderly military personnel, visiting athletes, fragilities in public transport systems, and a failing private security company. The potential for anarchist direct action, as the Superintendent explained: One group recently scoped Westfield out and we heard they were looking at throwing furniture around'. A demonstration by members of the UK's Tamil community was planned for West Ham Park on the Sunday following the Friday Opening Ceremony. The challenge of Olympic-related transport policing was set out by the Chief Constable of the British Transport Police (BTP) at a conference held at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre.
