‘Illegals’ guarding the Olympics

London: TWO Olympic security guards have been nicked as suspected illegal immigrants.

One was due to be a supervisor for G4S throughout the Games.

The Pakistani pair, aged 21 and 24, were in custody last night. They have been working for several weeks at Coventry’s Ricoh Stadium — one of the 2012 football venues.

A source said last night: “It is highly embarrassing.”

Police and UK Border Agency officials pounced on the 21-year-old due to be a supervisor as he arrived for work. His older colleague was arrested later. Both are being held on suspicion of being illegal immigrants.

They have been guarding the outside of the ground for Leicester-based sub-contractors East Midlands Security on behalf of under-fire security firm G4S.

The younger man was then selected by G4S to lead a team inside the stadium, venue for 12 Olympic football games.

He was given full accreditation and training by G4S. The older man had also applied for a security job inside. Fellow guards were shocked when the supervisor was arrested at 3pm on Tuesday as he arrived for induction at the ground.

A source said: “He was surrounded by a ring of police.”

His arrest followed vetting by G4S. A further screening process is then carried out by Games organisers LOCOG with the Home Office.

The second guard was arrested yesterday at a different location.

The source said: “In fairness to G4S, it was their vetting procedure which picked up suspicions. But it is highly embarrassing that he was selected as a supervisor then turned out to be a suspected illegal. Just how many illegal immigrants will be working as Olympic guards?”

The G4S Games security operation has been branded a shambles after bosses failed to get enough guards and the Army had to step in.

BDST: 1445 HRS, July 19, 2012
Edited by
Chanchal Ghosh, Newsroom Editor