An army of 10,000 volunteer police officers with the power of arrest will help the Met guard the 2012 London Olympics, the Standard has learned.

Mayor Boris Johnson will today pledge £32million for a huge increase in the number of special constables on patrol during the Games.

[efoods]About 700 “specials” have already been recruited in the last year, taking the number in London to 2,600.

The new officers’ duties will include stop and search, foot and vehicle patrols and house-to-house inquiries. They will be part of the £1billion Olympic policing operation, with 5,000 officers working on event days to ensure the smooth running of the Games.

The Metropolitan Police Authority will provide most of the funding, while the Home Office will supply a 25 per cent contribution and also help to fund recruitment campaigns and training.

The money can also be paid to employers so specials can take paid leave for training and police patrols. Mr Johnson said: “I’d like to see a massive increase in numbers to 10,000 specials patrolling the capital’s streets by the Olympic Games in 2012, and I am pleased that the Government is providing funding to make this a reality.

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