LONDON: Police have made more than 100 arrests in and around Olympic venues across London over the last fortnight, according to figures released by Scotland Yard on Sunday.
One teenager was arrested under section 58 of the UK's 2000 Terrorism Act, which is used when police suspect that someone is collecting or is in possession of “information of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism”.
But the 17-year-old, who was picked up at Stratford railway station near the Olympic Park on Saturday 28 July, was released after questioning and “de-arrested”, Scotland Yard said. In total, 114 people were taken into custody between 21 July and 3 August — the latest figures available.
But there have been only six arrests inside the venues themselves, a very small number considering hundreds of thousands of people have been to see events over the last fortnight, and how much British spectators have had to celebrate since the Games began.
In fact, a breakdown from Scotland Yard shows only three people have been seized for being drunk and disorderly since the Olympic Torch came to London. Two were caught for allegedly impersonating a police officer, and one man was also arrested for swimming in the River Thames.
More than half the total number of arrests — 58 — were suspected ticket touts, who could face fines up to 20,000 British pounds if they are charged and convicted.
By arrangement with the Guardian
