Danny Jordaan faced widespread global anxiety over South Africa's notorious crime rate last year but ended up putting on a tournament whose absence of serious incidents surprised most visitors.

Jordaan says he was shocked by the indiscriminate rioting across England and warned that policing had to be coordinated properly at next year's Games.

"The extent to which the mayhem continued and how it spread was quite a big shock," said Jordaan.

"In the initial stages what concerned one was the long time it took for the police to respond.

"For a long time they appeared to be undecided and uncoordinated,  and not ready to respond."

Jordaan said the Olympics could take no such risks.

"Certainly as we go towards the Olympics...the police should be ready," Jordaan (pictured) told BBC's Sportsweek programme.

"It was very disturbing, one feels for the organising committee of the Olympics, it's the last thing you want to happen leading up to a major event.

"They've done an incredible job.

"What is required now is for the police to give assurances and make sure the plans are not just on paper but are ready to implement when the time comes.

"Now is the time for the security establishment...to really coordinate things and be ready for the influx of people coming to the Olympics.

"We had many dry runs with our cities to test their state of readiness.

"Security is about prevention rather than just a reactionary force.

"That means there has to be a strong Intelligence component.

"When it is just a reactionary force it becomes difficult."

But Jordaan said it was important not to get carried away.

"We mustn't move to a point where we put in question London's ability to host the Olympics," he said.

"That should not be part it the debate.

"I have no doubt the Olympics will be safe."

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