The Leading News & Information Service For The Facilities, Workplace & Built Environment Community

Oval Crossbow Incident - Evacuation and Security Questions Answered

07 September 2017 | Updated 01 January 1970
 

In to the firing line

On Monday (Sept 4) ThisWeekinFM asked the Metropolitan Police: Why did the Police attending the incident choose to evacuate the crowd to street when there was a distinct possibility they could have been forced directly in to the firing line of someone armed with a crossbow?

Further to this, given an eye-witness report that prior to the event, no bag searches were being undertaken by security personnel at the Oval, will the Met or Counter Terrorism Command be investigating standards at the stadium?

We've had a short (but sweet) response: 'The Oval ground was subject to a controlled evacuation by police; officers were on scene both inside and outside the ground giving them the scope to carry out a continual dynamic risk assessment of the entire area. There were no reports of any injuries.

'Security in terms of bag searches is one for the stadium management'.

 

Detectives investigating an incident where a crossbow bolt was loosed into the Oval Cricket Ground have arrested a man.

The 35-year old was taken in to custody on suspicion of attempted GBH on Saturday, September 2 morning after attending a south London police station. He has since been bailed pending further enquiries to a date in late September.

Detectives from Lambeth continue to appeal for anyone with footage of the moments up to and including the crossbow bolt being fired.

Detective Constable Dominic Landragin of Lambeth CID said: "There were significant crowds watching the match and it is likely that a number of those present will have footage of the incident that could assist in our investigation.

"Although nobody was injured, this was a reckless action taken with no regard for the safety and wellbeing of the spectators or the players. It is important that we trace those responsible and I urge anyone who has footage of the incident to get in touch as soon as possible."

As a result of the incident the match being played was suspended and the ground evacuated.

Anyone in possession of footage should contact Lambeth CID by dialling 101. To provide information anonymously please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Picture: The crossbow bolt recovered from the pitch at The Oval

Article written by Brian Shillibeer | Published 07 September 2017

Share



Related Articles

Heathrow Under Siege - In-house Teams & Blue-Light Services Respond To Exercise

The Metropolitan Police, emergency services and Heathrow Airport carried out a major live-play exercise at Heathrow to test their joint response to a terrorist incident....

 Read Full Article
Countering Terrorism The Hard Way

A new type of concrete, which could significantly lower the number of deaths during bomb blasts, earthquakes and other disasters, is being developed by an expert from...

 Read Full Article
Terror Arrests Up 68% But Police Resources at Breaking Point

The head of the National Police Chiefs' Council, Chief Constable Sara Thornton, has said resources are being stretched to breaking point by the UK's counter...

 Read Full Article
UK Government Publishes Facilities Management Strategy

The government has released a guide to establishing a coordinated and aspirational FM strategy. In the document, Alex Chisholm, Chief Operating Officer for the Civil...

 Read Full Article
Winter Flu – 'Perfect Storm’ Could Cause Business Closures

Experts are predicting widespread staff absence rates this autumn due to a “perfect storm” of COVID-19 and early flu season. This so-called “perfect...

 Read Full Article
Saharan Dust Moves Across UK

A storm carrying Saharan dust is causing hazy skies and layers of orange-coloured dust across southern England.   What is Saharan Dust?   Saharan...

 Read Full Article
Storm Eunice – Met Office Announces Red Weather Warning

A rare red weather warning for parts of the southwest has been issued by the Met Office, as significant gusts in excess of 90mph are expected. Latest warnings are...

 Read Full Article
Omicron Variant – What are the Facts?

It remains unclear how much of a threat the new Omicron COVID-19 variant poses, so what are the definitive facts? On 26 November 2021, the World Health Organisation...

 Read Full Article
What is Plan B and What Does it Mean For Workplaces?

Detailed in the UK Governments Autumn and Winter Plan, option B could see the re-introduction of masks and other restrictions. What does this mean for the newly...

 Read Full Article
What Does the PM's COVID-19 Winter Plan Mean for Employers?

Prime Minister Boris Johnson recently laid out his COVID-19 winter response plan to the public, but how will it impact existing working policies? The winter...

 Read Full Article