Ryder Cup security alert forces police evacuation
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Police were forced to evacuate part of the bus terminal at The Belfry after a man sparked a security scare. The terminal was closed for 15 minutes yesterday afternoon while police checked out the incident before giving the area the all-clear and allowing 3,000 spectators to return to coaches.
Mitchell Platts, the spokesman for the Ryder Cup, said: "A car drove into the section of the bus terminal reserved for coaches at approximately 2pm. The driver was seen to park his car, secure it and apparently leave in somewhat suspicious circumstances. The police decided to investigate and established a sterile area in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle as a precautionary measure and the pedestrian traffic close to the site was halted temporarily.
"The identity of the driver was quickly established and the normal operation of the bus terminal resumed within 15 minutes."
Security is tight at The Belfry for the event and plans have been made to deal with incidents such as yesterday's. Platts said: "The response to the incidence was in accordance with the pre-plan operation agreed in advance between the police and Ryder Cup Ltd."
There had been fears that the tight security measures imposed at the entrances concerning what is allowed to be brought on to the premises, would cause delays. But the first two practice days have gone smoothly. The list of prohibited items is long and detailed: No bags, rucksacks or back-packs greater than 8in x 8in, no mobile phones, cameras (except practice days), ladders, picnic baskets, briefcases, radios (excluding Ryder Cup official radios, priced at £8), portable televisions, push-chairs, bicycles, lawn chairs, and audible pagers.
Roads in the immediate vicinity of The Belfry are closed to unauthorised vehicles and private cars, and there is no public parking facility at or near the venue.
There is no direct public pedestrian access to the venue other than via the park and ride schemes originating at the National Exhibition Centre and Drayton Manor Park. The only way in and out for the public is by official Ryder Cup buses. At the entry gates there are X-ray machines for bags, airport-style metal detectors that all patrons must pass through, and further hand-searches if necessary.
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