Five people were held on suspicion of ticket touting just hours before the opening ceremony on Friday.

Of these, a 57-year-old German and a 30-year-old Slovakian woman were charged with ticket touting, Scotland Yard said.

Officers made a further 11 arrests on suspicion of ticket touting on Saturday, while two people were held in relation to the alleged theft of two Olympic Lane passes.

Scalpers in Britain are known as touts and it is a crime for tickets to be sold in such a manner. While people who buy the tickets won’t be in trouble, they could be refused entrance to any of the events if authorities deem it appropriate.

“Ticket touting is illegal and is a clear exploitation of those who genuinely wish to experience the Games first-hand,” said the officer in charge of a crackdown on illegal ticket resellers.

“We have been and will continue to seek out and take robust action against anybody who tries to cash in on the 2012 Games in this way,” said Detective Superintendent Nick Downing.

“I would also urge people to think twice about purchasing tickets from these criminals. If you do, you are likely to find yourself paying over the odds for them, while at the same time fuelling criminality,” Downing said.

As the London Games progress more scalpers are expected to be arrested. Hopefully the fans will see the ticket situation to work out to the satisfaction of everyone.