The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, visited Tobacco Dock on Friday to pay tribute to the troops deployed there as part of the Olympic security operation.

Tobacco Dock has provided accommodation and facilities for more than 2,000 members of the armed forces who were drafted in to help with securuity after contractor G4S admitted it could not cope with the demands of the Games.

The deployment includes members of the Army, Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force, all charged with the common aim of protecting venues as well as the safety of visitors and athletes.

Mr Johnson said: “I cannot thank our Armed Forces enough for bringing their world-renowned skills and experience to the London 2012 Games. They are doing a sterling job working with their G4S colleagues and it’s clear that the public and visitors to our great city are delighted to have them on board.”