Shocked Britain promises it will review Olympic security

Britain vowed to review security plans for the 2012 London Olympics on Tuesday as a third day of rioting forced the cancellation of England's football match against the Netherlands.

Widespread unrest across the British capital, and the inability of police to deal swiftly with Monday's multiple outbreaks of violence, have prompted questions over security plans for next summer's sports extravaganza.

British Home Secretary Theresa May said officials would "look at what is necessary" to ensure a trouble-free Olympics, where police will be aiming to provide security for some 10,500 athletes.

"We take the issues around the Olympics very seriously," May told BBC radio.

"An awful lot of work has already gone into planning in relation to the security and public order in relation to the Olympics and we will continue to monitor that and continue to look at what is necessary and what we need."

Olympics minister Hugh Robertson said anyone expressing scepticism about London's security planning for the 2012 Games was "very, very wrong."

"We have a commitment to deliver a safe and secure Games and we will do so," Robertson said.

The scenes of carnage could not have come at a worse time for London organisers, who are currently hosting around 200 senior Olympics officials for three days of meetings to address logistics for the Games.

However a spokesman for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said the organisation was confident London could deliver a secure event.

"Security at the Olympic Games is a top priority for the IOC," he said.

"It is, however, directly handled by the local authorities, as they know best what is appropriate and proportionate. We are confident they will do a good job in this domain."

British Olympic officials meanwhile expressed confidence that London would be able to host a trouble-free games.

"This is not a reflection of London, this is a reflection of the world we live in today," British Olympic Association director of communications Darryl Seibel told Sky Sports News.