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Wembley and Old Trafford stage Counter Terrorism Awareness events

Counter Terrorism Policing (CT Policing) has been working with the Premier League, EFL and FA to help improve stadium security. Two Counter Terrorism Awareness workshops, specially designed to take into account the current threats to the sports stadia sector, have been held at Wembley and Old Trafford and were attended by club officials from across the country. The two leagues have also taken to circulate security advice to all clubs for use on their websites and social media channels. The key advice CT Policing is asking clubs to share with their supporters is to arrive early, allowing more time for security checks, minimise what they are carrying, as fewer bag searches will speed up entry to the ground, and to be vigilant at all times, reporting anything that looks suspicious. They are also asking supporters to call 999 if detecting any immediate threats to safety, listen to and follow the Public Address instructions, evacuate if and when told to do so, not record events on the mobile as it will put them in danger, move away from the stadium as quickly as possible for safety and allow clear access for any emergency vehicles, and follow the local police force on Twitter once safe for news updates on the situation. Superintendent Dave Roney, deputy national coordinator for Protect and Prepare, said: “While there is no specific intelligence of an increased threat to football grounds in the UK, we have seen that terrorists are prepared to carry out attacks on this type of target. “We have been pleased with the response from the football authorities in attending our events and making renewed efforts to do all they can to keep supporters safe. “The workshops provided clubs with the opportunity to share best practice and gave police colleagues an insight into match day activities.”

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