Former security minister Admiral Lord West says he is surprised the Government only recently became aware of a shortfall in Olympic security staff. Up to 3,500 extra troops will be needed for security duties during the Olympics amid fears that private firm G4S will not be able to meet the needs. Some 17,000 troops will now be involved in the Olympics, with 11,000 of these involved in the security of more than 30 sporting venues and some 70 non-competition venues, including car parks and hotels. Lord West said: "They realised it was a problem earlier, that's why suddenly we ended up with a plan for 13,500 military to be involved in the security of the Games rather than it just being police 14,000 and civilian to do the venue security. This extra demand suddenly is not very clever." "I'm surprised someone involved in it hadn't put more pressure on G4S, asked 'are you absolutely certain you are going to get this number 'and then drilled down and been all over them like a rash."