Wimbledon tennis fans "will be protected against terrorist attacks by undercover armed guards and barriers similar to those installed on London bridges" to counter the threat from vehicles, according to David Brown of the LONDON TIMES. The increased security measures were put in place by the All England Club and the Metropolitan Police "after vehicles were driven into pedestrians" on Westminster Bridge in March and on London Bridge and near Finsbury Park mosque this month. Undercover firearms officers "will patrol the Wimbledon grounds and surrounding area." Enhanced security measures "include the use of sniffer dogs, CCTV and thorough searches of people, their bags and vehicles" before they enter the grounds. As well as banning knives and sharp objects, the tennis club barred visitors from entering with selfie sticks, flasks or any "objects or clothing bearing political statements" (LONDON TIMES, 6/30). In London, Kieran Gill reported there were signs of Wimbledon's "tightened security" on Saturday. There were "the usual thorough bag searches but also officers with sniffer dogs." Metropolitan Police Superintendent Jo Edwards, who is leading the security operation, said, "We take into account the threat level in the U.K. and we take into account the atrocities that have taken place in the U.K. since March" (DAILY MAIL, 7/1).
