Games bosses defend security after sex assault claim

MELBOURNE - Police and Commonwealth Games officials have defended security at the athletes village despite an alleged sexual assault on a 16-year-old worker by a member of the Indian team's support staff and fears of more incidents before the closing ceremony.

Police have seized the passport of a 28-year-old man they said was helping with their inquiries.

No charges had been laid yesterday, although Victorian police chief Commissioner Christine Nixon said she expected the case would be brought to a rapid conclusion.

Officials refused to confirm the nationality of the man, but Indian general team manager Gubir Sing told the Age that a member of his support staff was involved.

"There is an investigation on, that's true, and apparently an Indian support staff is involved who is at the centre of the investigation. But we have no details and since the matter is absolutely top priority and serious, it would just not be right to be speculative in any way," he said.

The alleged assault has raised questions about security at the village and work practices that allowed a teenage girl to work alone in a man's room.

The girl, an employee of a commercial cleaner, told police the man had tried to kiss and fondle her in his room.

Commissioner Nixon said the girl had not been harmed and was well yesterday, although it was not known if she had reported back to work at the village.

She said that the man could face a charge of sexual assault, which carried a maximum two-year prison sentence.

The allegation is being investigated by a special police unit based at the village, charged with the protection of about 6000 athletes and officials.

Commissioner Nixon said she was satisfied with security arrangements.

Games chief executive John Harnden said he was confident both in the security arrangements at the village and in the way the alleged assault was being handled by police.

But he said in a town the size of the village, more problems were likely.

Obviously you'd appreciate that you've got 6000 athletes and officials from around the world so the village is the size of a regional town, Mr Harnden said.

"You'll have issues in the village which are the equivalent of a regional town.

"So you'd obviously expect issues or incidents comparable to any demographic of 6000 people at one place at any one time."

But he said feedback from athletes was positive and he was confident people in the village would leave feeling good about the Games.