Totally Unsuitable': Soldiers and Missiles to be Stationed on Residential London Rooftops During Olympic Games

According to the Telegraph, residents in a private, gated complex of East London recently received leaflets from the Ministry of Defense informing them that a team of 10 soldiers (armed with missiles) and police will be stationed at their building for the duration of the Olympic games.

However, they assure residents that they will only fire missiles off their rooftop as a last resort.

Resident Brian Whelan elaborated: "They are going to have a test run next week, putting high velocity missiles on the roof just above our apartment and on the back of it they're stationing police and military in the tower of the building for two months."

Though the resident was unclear about whether the individuals would actually be living in the complex, or whether they will just be stationed there for several months, the Ministry of Defense asserts that it is the only suitable location.

The Telegraph continued highlighting various criticisms:

''We have a gym and a pool and people have seen them there so it makes you think it will be some sort of Army base - it's not ideal."

[...]

''The general tone of it all was 'Great news, aren't we lucky', but that's not normal, it's not something people should have put on them.

''I've looked these (the missiles) up and I don't think they're the kind of thing you can fire over a highly populated area like Tower Hamlets, think of the debris.

[...]

''It's totally unsuitable.''

Some are even concerned the missiles will make them a target, but authorities assure residents that they will be safer with the arsenal nearby.

Reports are unclear whether building's owners will be paid to have the soldiers and missiles stationed in their complex, or whether the decision was made under the Emergency Powers Act, but no one seems to be pleased either way.

An Ministry of Defense spokesperson defended the move, saying: "As announced before Christmas, ground-based air defense systems could be deployed as part of a multi-layered air security plan for the Olympics, including fast jets and helicopters, which will protect the skies over London during the Games.

"However, no final decision on whether or not to deploy ground-based air defense systems for the Games has been taken."