The Metropolitan Police told the Health and Public Services Committee it is the biggest peacetime operation its officers have undertaken.

Meanwhile, London Ambulance Service estimates it needs 300 extra staff to cover Games-time demand and London Fire Brigade is already estimating a £900,000 shortfall for planning around the event.

The figures are revealed in a report by the London Assembly's Health and Public Services Committee which is published today.

It warns that the Olympic and Paralympic Games will place significant pressure on London's health and emergency services.

The report says preparations are well under way to ensure "business as usual" but adds that more needs to be done over the next year to ensure the capital's health and emergency services can cope with the pressures of hosting the Games.

Planning is hindered by uncertainty over funding because of potential cutbacks anticipated in the forthcoming Comprehensive Spending Review and because organisations had to make funding bids without official estimates on visitor numbers.

The report also highlights a lack of clarity over the range of cultural and other events due to take place throughout 2012 that will stretch emergency service personnel.

James Cleverly chairman of the London Assembly Health and Public Services Committee, said: "2012 will be an unusual year and London's health and emergency services will be under extraordinary pressure.

"Much hard work has already been completed to prepare for this challenge and, on the current evidence, it seems the capital should be able to deliver business as usual for Londoners during the Games.

"However, we have identified a number of areas where more work is needed over the next year and we will be keeping a close eye on preparations to ensure all remains on track."

The report sets out 12 milestones that organisations need to meet within the next 12 months to remain on course and highlights the role that Londoners can play in helping reduce pressure on services.

This includes people being encouraged to use alternative transport to avoid clogging up roads, planning any local events well in advance and using the most appropriate health services for their needs.

The 12 milestones outlined in the report include:

• The Government to agree final Olympics funding within the next year with service providers

• Publication of London's emergency and health services budgets for delivering services during Games time – including any funding gaps

• New detailed plans from organisations, once official estimates on visitor numbers have been published, giving a finalised picture of all cultural and other events scheduled to take place in 2012

• Successful testing of systems and command-and-control arrangements

• Clear plans for managing volunteering, leave and "mutual aid" agreements between emergency services

Related stories
February 2010: London 2012 faces significant security threat warns Met Police Commissioner
November 2009: London Olympics is greatest threat to national security since World War 2 warns Minister
November 2009: Multi-million pound security boost For London 2012 Olympics
September 2009: Do not compromise Londoners safety for the Olympics says Assembly Member
August 2009: Transport police chief to be 2012 security director