London Olympics Plan: Put Missiles Atop Apartments?

High Velocity Missiles being considered as way to protect Olympic Park
By Kate Seamons,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 29, 2012 6:33 AM CDT
London Olympics Plan: Put Missiles Atop Apartments?
View of a gated residential flats in Bow, east London, where the Ministry of Defence have warned residents that surface-to-air missiles could be stationed on their rooftops during the Olympics.   (AP Photo/Sang Tan)

Londoners who plan to rent out their apartments over the course of the Olympics may find another uninvited tenant occupying space atop their flats: surface-to-air missiles. The BBC reports that some 700 residents of a block of apartments in east London received notice that a "Higher Velocity Missile system" could be placed on a water tower on their roof. Though no final decision on ground-based air defense systems has been made, one tenant says he say soldiers lugging a crate into his building, and noted that the leaflet explains troops will be present for a military exercise between May 2 and 7.

The location in question is quite close to Olympic Park and offers a clear view of the sky above it, which would allow the military to "counter threats from very high performance, low-flying aircraft." But residents can breathe easy, explains the leaflet: It assures them that "having a 24/7 Armed Forces and police presence will improve your local security and will not make you a target for terrorists." (Read more 2012 London Olympics stories.)

We use cookies. By Clicking "OK" or any content on this site, you agree to allow cookies to be placed. Read more in our privacy policy.
Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X