MCC security measures are clear
Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), owners of Lord's Cricket Ground, has greatly improved its security procedures over the last 18 months, as along with new mail handling procedures and documentation checks, they have also added blast-proof filming to the majority of the glazing at the Home of Cricket.
Above:
View from JP Morgan Media Centre at Lord's.
After receiving advice from the National Counter-Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) that 90% of all injuries in a bomb blast are caused by flying glass, MCC began working with Solartek Films Ltd to plan the blast-proofing of windows at Lord’s.
In time for the start of the 2016 season, the majority of glass in buildings at Lord’s was fitted with optically clear Anti-Shatter film.
The work undertaken by Solartek has focussed in its initial stages on the buildings that overlook the playing area to Lord’s. The Lord’s Pavilion, grade II listed building, one of the most famous buildings in word sport was the first to receive the full programme of filming.
The Club have worked closely with the NaCTSO and the Metropolitan Police to overhaul the wider Lord’s security operation since January 2015.
The focus of this work has been the updating of security plans, staff training and awareness programmes, and physical infrastructure improvements.
With blast-proof glazing programme close to completion, MCC are considering a number of other measures to help further enhance the security operation at Lord’s for the 2017 season.
Derek Brewer, MCC Chief Executive, said: “In the current climate it is crucial that security at Lord’s is as tight as possible, and I am very pleased with the marked improvements we have made in the last 18 months. We have excellent working relationships with numerous key stakeholders including the Met Police and the NaCTSO, and we are grateful to Solartek for their work on the blast proofing of our glazing. We will continue to develop the security operation ahead of a busy summer of fixtures next year.”