Highfield Tower is now being used by the MoD as an observation base

The military personnel using a Collier Row tower block as an observation base during the Olympics are not armed, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed today (Friday).

The personnel – the MoD declined to comment on their rank or number – have taken up a day-and-night vigil in the roof space at Highfield Towers, on Bolberry Road. They will be there until September 30th – three weeks after the end of the Paralympic Games.

Answering a written question from Rainham and Wennington councillor David Durant this week, cabinet member for housing Cllr Lesley Kelly said Homes in Havering had received no complaints or concerns from residents during the MoD’s training exercise back in May.

“We have conveyed to our colleagues in the MOD the need to be sensitive to the views of residents,” added Cllr Kelly, “but it does not appear that the residents are unduly concerned about the proposed arrangements, and in any case I am confident that the MOD are fully aware of the need to work in co-operation with local residents.”