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Security as Theatre: the London Olympics Abstract This paper proposes the London Olympics 2012 as a clear example of Stephen Graham’s military urbanism in action. Using the structure of a visual essay with an accompanying introductory text, this paper argues that the visibility of the security structures at the Olympics functioned as a stage-set of securitization. The importance of the image in terrorism/counter-terrorism is set against the backdrop of the 7/7 bombings as a way to establish the context of the London Olympics as a moment when the city was transformed into a landscape of hyper-security and to document the segregated city this produced. A photographic methodology is proposed as a way to document, analyse and critique these security structures in action. Read the full article "here":https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03058034.2020.1720064
Olympic Park, Stratford, 2012
The aerial view of the park became key to the security operation. A surveillance blimp hovered over Stratford watchful for terrorist attacks. Airspace restrictions were in place for the duration of the Games creating no-fly zones over all the Olympic sites.
Zaun Limited warehouse, Wolverhampton, 2012
The perimeter of the Olympic park was surrounded by more than 10 miles of prison-grade woven fencing 5 metres high, with 7 metre high lighting, and CCTV columns every 25 metres. Zaun Limited weave their fences in a warehouse in Wolverhampton and are one of the largest perimeter protection systems providers in the UK. As one of the approved Secured by Design providers they also provide prison-grade fencing to schools around the country.
Zaun Limited warehouse, Wolverhampton, 2012
The perimeter of the Olympic park was surrounded by more than 10 miles of prison-grade woven fencing 5 metres high, with 7 metre high lighting, and CCTV columns every 25 metres. Zaun Limited weave their fences in a warehouse in Wolverhampton and are one of the largest perimeter protection systems providers in the UK. As one of the approved Secured by Design providers they also provide prison-grade fencing to schools around the country.
Zaun Limited warehouse, Wolverhampton, 2012
The perimeter of the Olympic park was surrounded by more than 10 miles of prison-grade woven fencing 5 metres high, with 7 metre high lighting, and CCTV columns every 25 metres. Zaun Limited weave their fences in a warehouse in Wolverhampton and are one of the largest perimeter protection systems providers in the UK. As one of the approved Secured by Design providers they also provide prison-grade fencing to schools around the country.
Exercise Forward Defensive, dis-used Aldwych underground station, 2012
Taking place over 2 days in February with over 2500 personnel taking part, the security exercise tested future resilience in case of a terrorist attack at the London Olympics. The media were invited to the live play exercise with hired actors daubed in fake blood being attended to by the emergency services. Mayor Boris Johnson and Home Secretary Theresa May also took part in elements of the exercise.
Exercise Forward Defensive, dis-used Aldwych underground station, 2012
Taking place over 2 days in February with over 2500 personnel taking part, the security exercise tested future resilience in case of a terrorist attack at the London Olympics. The media were invited to the live play exercise with hired actors daubed in fake blood being attended to by the emergency services. Mayor Boris Johnson and Home Secretary Theresa May also took part in elements of the exercise.
Snipers at Ilford, 2012
MOD press call to demonstrate the RAF Puma helicopters and sniper team deployed to Ilford, East London. Any aircraft entering the no-fly zone above London would be engaged by one of these helicopters with a signboard. If they did not follow the instruction ‘follow me’ the snipers were under orders to fire.
Missiles on Blackheath Common, 2012
MOD press call to demonstrate the capabilities of the Army Rapier ground based air defence missile systems on Blackheath. Missile systems were placed at a further 3 locations around London, one on top of a residential tower block near to the main Olympic Park. Press were invited to a demonstration of the missile system at Blackheath because it was deemed to be the most visual of the locations by the MOD press office.
Missiles on Blackheath Common, 2012
MOD press call to demonstrate the capabilities of the Army Rapier ground based air defence missile systems on Blackheath. Missile systems were placed at a further 3 locations around London, one on top of a residential tower block near to the main Olympic Park. Press were invited to a demonstration of the missile system at Blackheath because it was deemed to be the most visual of the locations by the MOD press office.
Typhoon jets at RAF Northolt, 2012
MOD press call at an RAF base in the suburbs of North London to demonstrate the capabilities of the RAF Puma helicopters equipped with sniper teams, and RAF Typhoon Jets. Snipers laughed and joked with the media crews as they posed with their gun barrels pointed towards the cameras.
Typhoon jets at RAF Northolt, 2012
MOD press call at an RAF base in the suburbs of North London to demonstrate the capabilities of the RAF Puma helicopters equipped with sniper teams, and RAF Typhoon Jets. Snipers laughed and joked with the media crews as they posed with their gun barrels pointed towards the cameras.
HMS Ocean at Greenwich, 2012
The Navy’s largest ship helicopter carrier HMS Ocean sailed up the Thames and docked at Greenwich. A further live play exercise took place on the ship with invited members of the media.
Outside the Olympic narrative, 2012
Many people local to East London found themselves outside the Olympic narrative. Activist Simon Moore found himself in receipt of an Olympic ASBO preventing him from moving across large swathes of London in case he protested the Games.
Outside the Olympic narrative, 2012
Boat owner Mambo, was one of many houseboats owners deemed a security risk and forced to move up river.
Outside the Olympic narrative, 2012
Local dog walker Caroline Day found herself becoming an activist in protest at the destruction of Leyton Marsh to make way for an Olympic basketball.
Outside the Olympic narrative, 2012
Journalist Brian Whelan found himself evicted after publicising the placement of missiles on top of his residential apartment block in Stratford.
Anti-missiles march, 2012
Concerned Londoners marching in Greenwich to protest the placement of surface-to-air missiles in locations across London, including the roof of a residential apartment block.