G4S staffing crisis is leaving fewer officers on the frontline, according to Police Federation

Police officers are being “stripped” from the frontline in the West Midlands as a result of the further security cover required for the Olympic Games, it has been claimed.

West Midlands Police Federation said officers were being taken from response units and neighbourhood teams to deal with the shortfall in staff provided by G4S.

It said it had serious concerns after it emerged that only one officer had so far been rostered to provide cover at a police station on July 28.

The Federation said it had been receiving concerns from members via email and text to the branch. The extra cover required was now acting as an additional pressure following a reduction in officer numbers – and those sent to help with the London Olympic operation.

Secretary of the Joint Branch Board, Chris Jones, said 380 officers a day from across the area’s four forces were now required to staff Coventry’s Ricoh Arena – a venue where the football tournament is being held – and provide security at a hotel housing footballers. This followed G4S’ failure to supply its full commitment of 10,000 of personnel nationwide for the Olympic effort.

He said: “We knew we would have to supply a certain number of officers to support the event in London and we had planned for that.

“Now we have a third pull on resources that we had not planned for.”

“We don’t have enough resources – no one will listen and acknowledge the evidence.”

Mr Jones said 76 per cent of the 380 officers being provided in Coventry were from West Midlands Police with the remainder coming from West Mercia, Warwickshire and Staffordshire Police.

ACC Garry Forsyth of West Midlands Police, said the four forces had been able to build in “resilience” to the Olympic plans – and the safety of the streets was not being compromised.

Speaking on behalf of all the region’s forces he said: “We continue to work closely with LOCOG and G4S as the Games security regime is implemented.

"Forces from the West Midlands region are supporting LOCOG's venue security operation by providing officers to enhance the security arrangements in place, operating to the tight timescales needed to deliver the defensive search regime at venues in our area.

"Delivering a safe and secure Games is our top priority and we are working closely with our partners to deliver an end-to-end security operation.

"As part of our planning for the Games, we have been sure to build contingency and resilience into our resourcing and we have the capacity to meet this task. We will not compromise on keeping the streets and our local communities safe."