Missiles may be placed at residential flats

The Ministry of Defence says it is evaluating sites for surface-to-air missiles for the Olympic Games, and could place them at residential flats. Residents at an estate in east London have received a leaflet saying soldiers could be placed there during the Games. It says part of an air defence system might be based at a water tower on the estate, where 700 people live. A spokesman said the MoD had not yet decided whether to deploy ground based air defence systems during the Games. The leaflet states that members of the Armed Forces will be at the location for a military exercise in early May for between five and seven days, between 2 and 7 May. It goes on to say that there will be a "major national exercise" from 2 to 10 May to test the Armed Forces' capabilities to help the police provide security during the Olympics. Improve security And if the government decides to use the missiles during the Games, then the soldiers could be "operationally deployed for a period of up to two months this summer". This part of the leaflet assures residents that their residence will not become a terrorist target The MoD also says in the leaflet that the missiles will be manned by "fully trained, professional soldiers", will not pose a hazard to residents and the missiles "will only be authorised for active use following specific orders from the highest levels of government in response to a confirmed and extreme security threat". The document also states that "having a 24/7 Armed Forces and police presence will improve your local security and will not make you a target for terrorists". Journalist Brian Whelan, a resident at the flats, said: "They are going to have a test run next week, putting high velocity missiles on the roof just above our apartment and on the back of it they're stationing police and military in the tower of the building for two months. "It's a private, gated community... We have an MoD leaflet saying the building is the only suitable place in the area. "It says there will be 10 officers plus police present 24/7. I'm not sure if they are going to live in the building." 'Not normal' Mr Whelan also said that the property management company which runs the flats put up posters and gave out the leaflets on Saturday. Continue reading the main story London 2012 - Begin your journey here London 2012: Latest Olympic news, sport, features and programmes from the BBC A MoD spokesman said: "As announced before Christmas, ground based air defence systems could be deployed as part of a multi-layered air security plan for the Olympics, including fast jets and helicopters, which will protect the skies over London during the Games. "Based on military advice we have identified a number of sites and, alongside colleagues from the Metropolitan Police, are talking to local authorities and relevant landowners to help minimise the impact of any temporary deployments. "As part of our ongoing planning, we can confirm site evaluations have taken place." The MoD has previously been considering plans to install surface-to-air missiles in south-east London at Blackheath and Shooters Hill during the Olympics.