Football clubs on alert over bomb threat

Posted Sunday, September 14, 2014 by Dailystar.co.uk

FOOTBALL clubs are on high alert this weekend amid fears terrorists could target stadiums.

TERROR ALERT: Stewards and police check dangers

With the UK terror threat level at severe, the Daily Star Sunday has learned stewards have been told to be extra vigilant. They will be searching bags more thoroughly and doing in-depth sweeps of grounds – in particular seats and toilets – before, during and after a match.

A football safety insider revealed: “There have been no warnings or threats from any terrorist groups but because of trouble abroad recently, the Government and police are worried. Football clubs on alert over bomb threat

"We don’t want a disaster in this country and at a time where tensions are already so high, the top bosses are working on the assumption it is better to be safe than sorry.”

Recently Prime Minister David Cameron said the UK needed to “fill gaps” in the country’s armoury. Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley, the Association of Chief Police Officers’ lead for counter terrorism, said security measures were being increased.

The new alert officially rates the risk of an attack on the UK as “highly likely”. It was heightened at the end of last month in response to conflicts in Iraq and Syria.

Our insider continued: “Football grounds hold thousands of people. Big Premier League teams have grounds of 50,000 to 60,000 capacity. It is an easy way to target a lot of people all at once. When you consider that is just one ground, that is bad enough. If they targeted several, we are looking at one of the biggest disasters this country has seen.

"It is a danger because of how many people are in a small area at one time. Logistically there is only so much you can do, and that is the fear.”

Patrolling police will be outside grounds this weekend looking for any suspicious behaviour. They will also be allowed inside grounds during games.