Defence Secretary Philip Hammond confirmed today, 17th July, that 2,500 of additional military personnel being deployed on Olympic Security operations will move into Tobacco Dock.

The population of Wapping will increase by almost 20%.

A further 1,000 members of the military will be accommodated in buildings on bases, TA Centres and in special temporary accommodation in Hainault, Essex – making up the G4S shortfall.

This follows our speculative post yesterday [view here] after members of the army were first seen moving into Wapping.

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond’s official statement (unedited)

“Including the additional 3,500 personnel announced last week, around 17,000 members of the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force are now involved in the Olympic security effort. Working alongside the police and civilian contractors, this is a complex task and since last week’s uplift in the military contribution we have been working hard to ensure that our Armed Forces are accommodated appropriately and as comfortably as possible with access to sufficient rest and recreational facilities and that their collective contributions to a successful Olympics is appropriately recognised”

“I am confident that the Tobacco Dock will allow us to do that and our priority over the coming days is to ensure that happens as quickly as possible. Our Armed Forces are used to short-notice deployments and dealing with the unexpected which is why I am confident they will do a superb job in assisting in the provision of security for the world’s largest sporting event.”

Army troops move into Wapping’s Tobacco Dock

The official statement from the Ministry of Defence says “personnel will start to deploy to the site this week”, but as we saw yesterday – they were already deploying and have continued to deploy further today.

The entrance to Pennington Street is closely guarded, but opens for kit deliveries, new arrivals and visitors:

The rear of Tobacco Dock is quiet, but never quite empty and troops can always be seen in the background:

Residents who require further information about the Armed Forces at Tobacco Dock can contact the MOD Olympics information line on 07879 603506 or send an e-mail to LONDIST-MoDOlympicsEnquiries@mod.uk.

View our previous post [view here] to see what the Grade 1 listed Tobacco Dock warehouse looked like last time we saw inside.

What’s in Wapping welcomes the troops to Wapping and a friendly trooper told us that they hope to be able to visit our local pubs, shops and area very soon!