London sports clubs modify security measures after UK terrorism threat level raised

Professional sports clubs across London have modified their security measures after the national terrorism threat level was raised to severe.

Multiple Premier League clubs in the capital contacted by The Athletic confirmed their security arrangements were being altered accordingly following the increase in threat level, which was raised after two members of the Jewish community were stabbed in Golders Green, north London, on Wednesday.

Surrey County Cricket Club, who play their home matches at the Oval in south London, said in a statement they were in “regular contact” with the Metropolitan Police and would “adjust our own security measures in line with the increased threat level”.

Surrey face Sussex in the County Championships this weekend, and the club said there would be an additional security presence and heightened bag searches at the Oval for the match.

“We want to ensure that all staff, spectators and players feel safe and secure at the Kia Oval and will take the action necessary to do so,” the statement continued.

The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) raised the UK national threat level from substantial to severe on Thursday, meaning “an attack is highly likely in the next six months”. The UK was last at severe in November 2021.

The JTAC said the increase in threat level came after the attack in Golders Green on Wednesday morning but was not “solely” as a result of the stabbing.

Two Jewish men, aged 76 and 34, suffered stab wounds following an attack in Golders Green, a London suburb with a large Jewish population. Both are in stable condition, as of Friday morning, with former still in hospital and the latter released. Counter terrorism police later declared it a terrorist incident.

The crown prosecution service (CPS) confirmed on Friday that Essa Suleiman, 45, had been charged with two counts of attempted murder and one count of possession of a bladed article in a public place, in relation to the Golders Green attack.