ThisisBigBrother.com - UK TV Forums - London Marathon: Extra police on duty

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Hundreds of extra police officers will be on duty at the London Marathon later in a bid to reassure runners and spectators after the Boston bombings.

More than 35,000 runners are due to take part in the race, which starts in Blackheath, south-east London.

A 30-second silence will be held at the start line for the three people killed and more than 170 others injured by the bombs at the Boston Marathon on Monday.

The Met Police says 40% more officers will be on duty than last year.

The force said that it had reviewed security plans after the Boston attacks and that the extra officers would be used for "for reassurance patrols".

The marathon route, which is lined by hundreds of thousands of spectators each year, finishes near Buckingham Palace, passing some of London's most recognisable landmarks, including Tower Bridge and Big Ben.

Ch Supt Julia Pendry, who has headed marathon security for five years, has said this year's police operation is "about making sure that people who come to London on Sunday feel safe when they are in the city".

She said more search dogs would be deployed and urged marathon spectators to keep their belongings with them to avoid sparking security alerts.

But she added: "There is no link between the Boston Marathon and the London Marathon and there is no change to the threat level at this time to London."
'Brilliant day'

Marathon chief executive Nick Bitel said messages of reassurance about security had been "well received".
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I'm here to learn about the course, so that next year I'm ready to go”

Mo Farah

Mr Bitel said the race organisers were happy with how the build-up to the race had gone.

"In terms of our preparations, it's all gone well, obviously there were some additional security issues following Boston, but that seems to be bedding down and the message of reassurance to runners has been very well received," he said.

He said he was looking forward to "a brilliant day" with a "fantastic looking line-up of stars running the race".

Celebrities taking part include singer Katherine Jenkins, BBC newsreader Sian Williams and former Strictly Come Dancing champion Harry Judd, of pop band McFly.

Athletes taking part include British Olympic double gold winner Mo Farah, who has said he is "hurt" by accusations that he is only taking part because of a reported six-figure appearance fee.

Farah, who won the 5,000m and 10,000m at the 2012 London Olympics, intends to run just half of the 26.2-mile course on Sunday in preparation for running the full race next year.

"I'm here to learn about the course, so that next year I'm ready to go," he said.

"It's a no-brainer when you think about it."
Tamerlan Tsarnaev (L), 26, and his brother Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, 19 Tamerlan, left, and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev are suspected of carrying out the Boston bombings

Meanwhile, specialist US terrorism officers are waiting to question Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the surviving suspect in the twin bombings close to the finish line of the Boston Marathon.

The 19-year-old is under armed guard in hospital after he was found seriously injured and hiding in a boat in a backyard, shortly after a Boston-wide lockdown was ended.

He is said to be stable but not yet able to communicate.

The BBC's David Willis, outside the hospital, said he suffered gunshot wounds to the neck and leg and had lost a lot of blood, so it could be a while before investigators were able to talk to him.

Mr Tsarnaev's older brother, Tamerlan, died after a shoot-out with police.

Virgin London Marathon has pledged to donate £2 for every runner that finishes Sunday's event to The One Fund Boston set up to raise money for victims of the explosions.

The race organisers expect the total donation to be at least £70,000.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22236946

I really don't think anything will happen during the marathon.