January 2012

It has recently come to light that several individuals involved in the UK riots of 2011 registered resentment regarding the costly preparations for the upcoming London 2012 Olympics as a motivating factor in their unrest. In a study of the causes of the English riots conducted by the Guardian News and the London School of Economics (LSE), researchers found that disparities in public spending on the Olympics are providing fuel for social unrest in poorer neighbourhoods. The high costs of hosting the Olympics, and the related backlash from young communities who are enduring increasing levels of poverty and unemployment just might prove to be one of the most significant security challenges for Olympic officials who are worried about a repeat of the UK riots during the largest cultural event in the world.  Read more +