ICC to review security in wake of Manchester bombing

Wednesday, 24 May 2017 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

ESPNCricinfo: The ICC has reiterated its commitment to safety and security at the forthcoming Champions Trophy and Women’s World Cup, in the wake of the terrorist attack that killed at least 22 people and injured several more in Manchester on Monday night.

The incident, which police believe to have been a suicide bombing, took place at around 10.30 p.m. towards the end of a concert by the US singer Ariana Grande and constitutes the worst terrorist atrocity in the UK since the attacks on the London Underground in July 2005.

The Champions Trophy, which gets underway on 1 June, will be taking place at The Oval, Edgbaston and Cardiff’s Swalec Stadium, while the Women’s World Cup commences on 24 June at venues in Derby, Leicester, Bristol and Taunton before the final at Lord’s on 23 July.

“Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the horrific attack in Manchester,” said the ICC in a press release. “The ICC and ECB place safety and security at the ICC Champions Trophy and ICC Women’s World Cup this summer as the highest priority.”

“We operate on advice from our Tournament Security Directorate - in conjunction with the ECB and relevant authorities - to ensure that we have a robust safety and security plan for both tournaments. We will continue to work with authorities over the coming hours and days and review our security in line with the threat levels.”

“The security situation has been very much front and centre of our preparations and we constantly review our procedures to guarantee they are as effective as possible to keep everyone safe.

“We do not disclose our security details as a matter of policy.”

“Our thoughts and condolences are with everyone who has been affected by this appalling atrocity,” said Steve Elworthy, the ICC tournament director. “The security plan and planning process has been developed in line with, and reflects, the current threat level within the UK. We will be assessing and reviewing that security plan all the time.

“We’ve continually worked with the venues to help develop our plan,” he added. “The readiness testing has been completed, so we are up to speed with all of that. The ICC, through David Richardson [CEO] and ourselves have been in contact with all of the members and are in continual communication with them over the last 12 hours, and will continue to be in contact until the tournament kicks off.”