Security checks at football grounds

[Monkey Man]

Just heard a thing on BBC news about people taking bags into grounds. Someone at Newcastle is suggesting it would speed things up if fans stopped bringing bags altogether, which I guess makes some kind of sense.

But ... much as I understand the need to be frisked on the way into grounds, a terrorist wanting to target a large number of people only has to turn up outside the ground as people are leaving (yes, that's on 80 minutes at the Amex) to have unfettered access to a big crowd. No security checks there.

Not sure what the solution is. Increased searches are unavoidable and understandable but I would guess the security forces would say it's partly just to reassure people. It's very hard to stop a determined terrorist.

 

[beorhthelm]

we dont need more security theatre, bag checks are quick enough if people just keep a few items.

 

[The Fifth Column]

The searches the stewards perform are utterly pointless, every single one I've ever had consists of some disinterested bloke simply brushing his hands over my arms, sides and occasionally legs, no attempt to apply any pressure and actually feel for anything you shouldn't have on you. Even the ones that use the metal detecting wands don't do that properly, if it beeps they ask what it is and you can tell them anything i.e 'Its my phone mate', they very rarely check. Anyone determined enough could easily smuggle in a weapon if they wanted or a bomb in a false bottomed rucksack, all the searches really serve to do is give some reassurance that security is better to allay peoples fears. The trouble is if the stewards did proper searches no-one would ever get in before kick off and it would just take too long. One other thing I've never understood is this ridiculous rule that some stewards insist on removing small plastic bottle tops before you can enter the ground?!? When did anyone ever in the history of football get seriously injured or maimed by a small blue Buxton water bottle top? And if anyone was going to luzz something at someone surely they would chuck the heavy bottle of water, loose change or some other item more inherently dangerous than a flippin plastic bottle top!

 

[Notters]

The searches the stewards perform are utterly pointless, every single one I've ever had consists of some disinterested bloke simply brushing his hands over my arms, sides and occasionally legs, no attempt to apply any pressure and actually feel for anything you shouldn't have on you. Even the ones that use the metal detecting wands don't do that properly, if it beeps they ask what it is and you can tell them anything i.e 'Its my phone mate', they very rarely check. Anyone determined enough could easily smuggle in a weapon if they wanted or a bomb in a false bottomed rucksack, all the searches really serve to do is give some reassurance that security is better to allay peoples fears. The trouble is if the stewards did proper searches no-one would ever get in before kick off and it would just take too long. One other thing I've never understood is this ridiculous rule that some stewards insist on removing small plastic bottle tops before you can enter the ground?!? When did anyone ever in the history of football get seriously injured or maimed by a small blue Buxton water bottle top? And if anyone was going to luzz something at someone surely they would chuck the heavy bottle of water, loose change or some other item more inherently dangerous than a flippin plastic bottle top!

I assume the sniffer dogs might help with explosives?

Re the bottle tops, it's because if you throw a full bottle without a top the liquid will come out. But they don't do this at the amex fortunately.

 

[The Fifth Column]

I assume the sniffer dogs might help with explosives?

Re the bottle tops, it's because if you throw a full bottle without a top the liquid will come out. But they don't do this at the amex fortunately.

A full bottle of water even with the top off can still prove effective if thrown correctly. I know the real reason for taking the bottle tops off is of course to try and prevent bottles being thrown, it reminds me of a trip to Brentford once when the steward couldn't tell me why he needed the bottle top off and got all flustered and angry and threatened to deny me entry when I was simply asking why - I genuinely didn't know at that time and was completely confused by this stewards reaction.

 

[Two Professors]

Perhaps a see-through bag,like the aircraft carry-ons for liquids,might be an answer?

 

[Superphil]

Perhaps a see-through bag,like the aircraft carry-ons for liquids,might be an answer?

See through clothes maybe?

 

[JC Footy Genius]

The searches at Leicester were probably the most thorough I have experienced but even they weren't really adequate. Better checks = longer delays = crowds forming at entrance points to stadiums = targets. It's a difficult issue with no simple answers. We have to rely on the security services/police to assess the level and type of threat and adjust precautions accordingly.

 

[Two Professors]

See through clothes maybe?

View attachment 88519

Bet they'd still find an excuse to pat her down!

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

Just heard a thing on BBC news about people taking bags into grounds. Someone at Newcastle is suggesting it would speed things up if fans stopped bringing bags altogether, which I guess makes some kind of sense.

But ... much as I understand the need to be frisked on the way into grounds, a terrorist wanting to target a large number of people only has to turn up outside the ground as people are leaving (yes, that's on 80 minutes at the Amex) to have unfettered access to a big crowd. No security checks there.

Not sure what the solution is. Increased searches are unavoidable and understandable but I would guess the security forces would say it's partly just to reassure people. It's very hard to stop a determined terrorist.

Absolutely impossible to deter a determined terrorist. All one can do is reduce the possibilites of it happening by making it as difficult as possible.

 

[Marshy]

Out of interest, are the body searches etc more thorough as a visiting fan ?

 

[Giraffe]

Perhaps a see-through bag,like the aircraft carry-ons for liquids,might be an answer?

I believe they have already started doing this in America where they are also actively checking for guns. Certainly Orlando have.

 

[Bozza]

I believe they have already started doing this in America where they are also actively checking for guns. Certainly Orlando have.

Pretty sure I went through a meta detector when I went to Orlando City too.

 

[Bozza]

Better checks = longer delays = crowds forming at entrance points to stadiums = targets.

Newcastle have taken steps there too, at least in terms of the vehicle based attacks that we have seen more of.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-40687287

 

[el punal]

Perhaps a see-through bag,like the aircraft carry-ons for liquids,might be an answer?

That might be a bit embarrassing if you're trying to get in with an inflatable penis.

 

[Two Professors]

I believe they have already started doing this in America where they are also actively checking for guns. Certainly Orlando have.

Villa Park next-oh,no the Johnson Crew are locked away!

 

[Two Professors]

That might be a bit embarrassing if you're trying to get in with an inflatable penis.

 

[Notters]

Newcastle have taken steps there too, at least in terms of the vehicle based attacks that we have seen more of.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-40687287

So have Brighton and Hove Albion. They've replace the flimsy gate by the Uni of Brighton with humongous metal bollards that wouldn't look out of place outside MI5.

 

[AmexRuislip]

Pretty sure I went through a meta detector when I went to Orlando City too.

Is that from all the shrapnel you've received from NSC?

 

[AmexRuislip]

That might be a bit embarrassing if you're trying to get in with an inflatable penis.

Sounds like Charlie Big Potatoes that [MENTION=17389]DarrenFreemansPerm[/MENTION] described!