Games security

It’s typically perceptive of Hugh McLachlan (Perspective, 25 July) to point out that the supposed protection offered by rooftop surface-to-air missiles deployed to counter possible Olympic terrorist attacks actually endangers other civilians in the case of insurgent aircraft being shot down.

As the professor states, we are legally and morally bound not to endanger our fellow citizens, although the very fact of this situation results from our having already done so by illegally invading Iraq and Afghanistan.

It is worth noting the ­upsurge in suicide bombings between 2004 and 2006 in these two countries, which had never ­before experienced a single ­instance of this type of action.

With masses of people gathered in public arenas and on transport this would be the most effective form of attack, and given the shambles of the security arrangements, it would 
be no surprise if potential bombers have actually been hired for the job.

Robert Dow

Ormiston Road

Tranent, East Lothian