Can students save us from terror? Youngsters to help police the Olympics
STUDENTS who have passed a nightclub bouncers’ course could be on the frontline in the battle to protect London from a terrorist attack during the Olympics.
Security firm G4S is recruiting university undergraduates looking to earn extra cash during their long summer break to provide protection for the Games.
The young people, aged 17 to 25, will be guaranteed an interview if they complete a four-day “supervision qualification”, the same as that required to work as a nightclub doorman.
G4S, which has government contracts to run some British prisons, said it would be using students for up to 3,000 of the 10,000 security guards required during the Olympics.
Among other tasks they will be responsible for manning X-ray machines, looking to pinpoint anyone trying to bring “anything harmful” into the venues.
A group of Peterborough Regional College students has already completed the course and all 33 of them were successful in clinching a summer security post with G4S, which is in charge of all security for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Paul Cooper, the college’s Olympics project manager, said: “This will give our students excellent work experience which will enhance their skills in readiness to pursue their careers into areas such as the military, the police force or security services, as well as the once-in-a-lifetime experience of working at the London setting of the greatest show on earth.
“The students will be there mostly for the safety elements of the Games, searching people and making sure that they disperse in a safe way when an event is over.
“They will receive a further day’s training from G4S in how to carry out searches in the run-up to the Games.”
G4S says it is recruiting from a broad range of backgrounds, ages and experience levels. Candidates will be asked to attend an interview at the recruitment centre, where they will go through a “rigorous” screening and vetting process before their application is submitted to the London Organising Committee of the Games (Locog) for accreditation.
Locog is responsible for deciding who needs to be accredited and issuing the passes.
The Home Office is carrying out the background checks on its behalf and will advise Locog whether an applicant is suitable for accreditation.
Mark Hamilton, G4S’S managing director of security personnel, said safety would be paramount.
He added: “Our recruitment drive offers unique employment opportunities to thousands of people, while our training will provide successful applicants with a professional security services qualification which will kick-start their careers in one of the UK’S fastest growing sectors.
“The Games coinciding with university summer holidays also makes it a perfect time for students to earn some extra money, gain new employment skills and be part of the celebration.”