Inside Wimbledon’s plans to stop security breaches with secret police as minister says cops have power to take action
POLICE do have the power to intervene if eco-yobs try and disrupt Wimbledon, a minister insisted today.
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said she “couldn’t guarantee” Just Stop Oil activists wouldn’t try and ruin the world-famous tennis tournament.
PAMinisters say they can’t guarantee Just Stop Oil protestors won’t try and ruin Wimbledon[/caption]
Getty Images – GettyLast week eco-yobs targeted the Ashes, throwing orange powdered paint on the pitch at Lords[/caption]
GettyCulture Secretary Lucy Frazer said new police powers mean eco-yobs can and will be detained if they wreak havoc at Wimbledon[/caption]
But she said new police powers will help detain eco-yobs causing havoc.
It comes as Wimbledon has ramped up the number of police spotters in the crowds today to pick out activists before they try to disrupt play.
An increased number of covert Behaviour Detection Officers (BDOs) from the Met will be on Centre Court and around the grounds from today to foil any plans.
Every person entering the All England Club will have their bag fully searched with some selected for body searches led by intelligence from the Met.
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Eco-protesters have threatened to disrupt matches after they ran onto the pitch at Lord’s cricket grounds last week.
Ball boys and girls, who are all selected from local schools and are aged 15, have been told not to try to intervene if any of the protesters manage to break onto court during play.
This morning Culture Secretary Ms Frazer said she, Home Secretary Suella Braverman and a “number of other parties” have had “roundtable” chats on cracking down on Just Stop Oil at sporting events.
“I don’t think it’s appropriate that Just Stop Oil are ruining sporting events,” Ms Frazer said.
“I think it’s really important we crack down on that.
“We recently brought in legislation to ensure that the police have the powers that they need in order to enforce public order.”
Ms Frazer added: “I’m really pleased we brought in those powers, which were not supported by the opposition.
“Of course I can’t guarantee that nothing is going to happen, but what I am confident about is the police understand the importance of these events going ahead and we have given them the powers to act.”
