Sniffer dogs 'to improve safety at key Olympic Games stations'

Date: 22/3/2010

The safety of key railway stations in London could be improved thanks to the introduction of a new team of explosives sniffer dogs in time for the London Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The team will patrol stations throughout the Games, helping to ensure the safety of thousands of visitors expected to the capital in 2012.

Of the ten new recruits, three are rescue dogs from animal shelters.

Shelter volunteers spotted the dogs' potential and contacted the British Transport Police.

Transport minister Paul Clark made the announcement after seeing the dogs in action at Stratford International station.

He commented: "Seeing the dogs and their handlers in action today I was impressed at how unobtrusively they go about their work. This is vital, as stations are expected to be very busy and we must provide security with minimal disruption to the travelling public."

Last week the Department for Transport announced that three key stations for the Olympic Games are to benefit from step-free access.