London Olympics 'could put strain' on Surrey Police

The Olympics could put a "serious strain" on Surrey Police, the chairman of its police authority has said.

Peter Williams said the government had reduced the security funding from £600m to £475m and the force would need to bid for funding for overtime payments.

Surrey will host the cycle road races and the cycle time trials.

The Home Office said it expected to deliver the full Olympic safety and security programme for about £475m, but the full £600m was available if needed.

"The recent review of the security arrangements shows that the right plans are in place to deliver a safe and secure Olympic Games," a Home Office spokesperson said.

Road closures

The Olympic cycle races will start and finish in London, with about 130 miles of the route passing through Surrey, including the towns of Walton, Weybridge, Dorking and Leatherhead.

Mr Williams said the Surrey based events "will require road closures which will place heavy demands on the police".

Surrey County Council said the cycle race would generate more than £20m for the the local economy and Surrey businesses had already won £740m worth of contracts.

Councillor Denise Saliagopoulos said: "Concerns of the police and other partners will be dealt with in the run-up to the games."

"I don't see that Locog [London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games] or the government will see us out on a limb," she said.