NEW DELHI: Amidst the fears of climate activists disrupting Wimbledon matches, the officials at the All England Club have tightened the security and will be using undercover 'behavioural detection officers' to avoid any untoward incidents.
Wimbledon is globally recognized for its immaculately maintained green lawns and pristine white lines, which have become symbolic of the tournament. The organizers are keen to avoid any disruptions caused by individuals sprinkling orange powder, a signature tactic used by protesters who have infiltrated other prominent sporting events.
"As we've seen in other sporting events, we can't guarantee anything, but we are extremely confident that the measures we've got in place are the right measures, and we're ready to deal with something if it happens," Sally Bolton, chief executive of the All England Club, told reporters at the club shortly before play began.
"Every year we work with the Metropolitan Police and other agencies to review our security arrangements in line with relevant threat picture and of course. We've certainly uplifted security in areas such as the gates and around the course, with enhanced bag searches, and we are communicating with people to explain how that may take a little more time.
Bolton said it was not all about the numbers of people involved.
"Some of it is about the type of intelligence that we're using and the tactics that we're using," she said. "A part of our security arrangements are a group of what are called behavioural detection officers - we have them every year, but maybe they will be looking for slightly different things than they would in any other year."
Bolton stressed that the championships were committed to being "environment positive" and appealed to spectators "to respect the fact that others who are coming who want to view the tennis enjoyably quietly and in a safe environment".
Last week's England v Australia cricket test at Lord's was briefly held up by powder-spreading protesters, following similar incidents at the World Snooker Championship and English Premiership rugby final.
(With inputs from Reuters)
