M.o.D. decides to plant surface-to-air missiles on residential roofs

[CasualVisitor]

Excerpt from BBC News:

The Ministry of Defence is considering placing surface-to-air missiles on residential flats during the Olympics.

An east London estate, where 700 people live, has received leaflets saying a "Higher Velocity Missile system" could be placed on a water tower.
A spokesman said the MoD had not yet decided whether to deploy ground based air defence systems during the event.
But estate resident Brian Whelan said firing the missiles "would shower debris across the east end of London".

The journalist said: "At first I thought it was a hoax. I can't see what purpose high-velocity missiles could serve over a crowded area like Tower Hamlets.
"They say they'll only use them as a last resort, but... you'd shower debris across the east end of London by firing these missiles."

...

The weapon being considered is a High Velocity Missile (HVM) system, which would be based on the Lexington Building Water Tower. The tower contains residential flats.
The MoD says in the leaflet that the missiles will not pose a hazard to residents and "will only be authorised for active use following specific orders from the highest levels of government in response to a confirmed and extreme security threat".
The document states: "Having a 24/7 Armed Forces and police presence will improve your local security and will not make you a target for terrorists.
Extract from MoD leaflet This part of the leaflet assures residents that their residence will not become a terrorist target...

Full article here

What's next? Curfew? Protective custody?
What advantage could come from ground-based, shoulder-fired SAMs when there are already (armed) helicopters and fast jets circling the area? Even IF some threat arose big enough to make them use these missiles - wouldn't the danger be too great to accidentally shoot down one of your own crafts which would probably be in pursuit of the target already?

I think if they had any intelligence of such a fat terrorist attacke, they should cancel the games!
What do you think?

[Goalshan602]

I think such situated weaponry could in their own right become targets for liberal groups, NIMBYS and terrorists alike.

[Aky786Journalist]

It's laughable and abit OTT IMO. Just does not sound right at all, especially if they are placing them on residential roofs.

[fred]

This idea is as stupid as it is pathetic.
No way could you shoot down an aircraft over a populated area without causing as much damage as a potential terrorist would manage if you simply let him crash it.
There is only one possible explanation that would make this a less than crackpot idea - To keep the public in fear.

[Seperatist]

This idea is as stupid as it is pathetic.
No way could you shoot down an aircraft over a populated area without causing as much damage as a potential terrorist would manage if you simply let him crash it.
There is only one possible explanation that would make this a less than crackpot idea - To keep the public in fear.

Aye, fear is the key.

[JerseyLily]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...021501333.html

This issue was all discussed before = I suspect a huge false flag operation is in the offing

[fred]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...021501333.html

This issue was all discussed before = I suspect a huge false flag operation is in the offing

I disagree.
I think this is another Blair style, "Tanks at the airport" job.

[CasualVisitor]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...021501333.html

This issue was all discussed before = I suspect a huge false flag operation is in the offing

You quote a German court ruling? This is about the Brits and they tend to take some things a bit differently, starting with breakfast...
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012...n_1463731.html
Huffington post sez:

More Locations For Olympics Missiles Revealed By MoD

Surface-to-air missiles could be deployed at six sites across London during the Olympics, the Ministry of Defence said on Monday.
The Lexington Building in Tower Hamlets and the Fred Wigg Tower in Waltham Forest, both in east London, have been identified as potential sites.
Blackheath Common and Oxleas Wood, both in south east London, plus William Girling Reservoir in the Lea Valley Reservoir Chain in Enfield and Barn Hill at Netherhouse Farm in Epping Forest are other possible sites.
No final decision has been made about this potential deployment but it does form part of Olympic Guardian, a major exercise in which security preparations are being tested this week.
...
...
Overall, there will be a mix of military and private security guards totalling 23,700 watching over the Games, with a further 3,000 unpaid volunteers joining them. The 13,500 soldiers on guard will actually outnumber the 10,000 deployed to Afghanistan.
Of those, 7,500 will be within stadiums, running security and screening vehicles and spectators. General Parker claimed that the Army will not be a heavy-handed presence, however.
He said: "These people will be in the background. We are siting them in places which are militarily sensible and not putting them in your face in the area of the Olympic activity.
...

[TRUREL]

I was surprised to see that they were giving each newham resident a surface to air missile.