United Kingdom: Enhanced security for Wimbledon through July 16

Event

In response to security concerns brought due to a series of terrorist attacks in the United Kingdom in recent months, heightened security measures have been implemented for the high-profile Wimbledon tennis tournament at London’s All-England Club. Qualification matches for the tournament run from Monday, June 26, until Thursday, June 29, with the championship rounds scheduled to run from Monday, July 3, until Sunday, July 16. Police have reportedly installed barriers similar to those installed on London Bridge in order to protect pedestrians from potential vehicle attacks. Additionally, a significant number of armed police officers in uniform and plain clothes will be deployed in the area for the duration of the tournament. Other security measures include enhanced video surveillance, bomb-sniffing dogs, and thorough searches of people, their bags, and vehicles at all entrances to the club grounds.

While no specific or credible threat has been made public, security officials have indicated they are carrying out a “proportional uplift in measures” due to the possibility of attacks.

Context

As of June 29, the United Kingdom’s terror threat level remains at severe, meaning an attack is highly likely but not imminent.

Four attacks have been carried out in the United Kingdom since March. On March 22, a man drove a car into pedestrians on the Westminster Bridge, injuring 50 and killing four, before exiting the vehicle and stabbing an unarmed police officer to death. Two months later, on May 22, at least 22 people were killed and 59 injured in an explosion that occurred during a pop concert at the Manchester Arena. Just weeks later three men drove a van into pedestrians on London Bridge before exiting the crashed vehicle and stabbing people in nearby Borough Market, killing eight and injuring 48. Most recently, a man crashed a vehicle into a crowd of pedestrians leaving the Finsbury Park mosque on June 19, killing one person and injuring ten.

Advice

Individuals in the area surrounding the tournament are advised to anticipate heightened security measures and localized transportation delays. Remain vigilant and report any suspicious objects or behavior to authorities.