Torch security team ready for action after training at Hendon

In the run up to the Olympics, the Metropolitan Police Olympic Torch protection team have been put through their paces in training exercise at Hendon.

The Olympic Torch arrives in the UK on 18 May and will embark on a 70 day tour of the country before arriving at the Olympic Stadium on 27 July for the opening ceremony. It will be accompanied on its journey by a 69 strong policing team, chosen in December 2010 following an eight month selection process and drawn from a range of policing roles including borough policing, CID, diplomatic protection group, traffic and airports.

The team, not all on duty at the same time, will cover a number of roles on a 24-hour seven-day a week basis. During the Relay the team will keep pace with each torch bearer and could see officers running up to 30 miles every day, for several consecutive days.