Pitch invaders in Britain
face stiff fines
John Mehaffey
Spectators invading cricket pitches this season face prosecution and fines of up to 1,000 pounds ($1,457) after serious crowd trouble last year, an England and Wales Cricket Board official said on Tuesday.
ECB events manager Warren Deutrom said police commanders at all venues would be instructed to enforce the Public Order Act providing for prosecution and fines.
"We want the police to act and the Crown prosecutor to prosecute," he said
.
Two matches in last season's triangular series between England, Australia and Pakistan ended in chaos after pitch invasions.
On Monday, Indian cricket authorities called for increased security for this year's series between England, Sri Lanka and India.
Deutrom said the decision to enforce existing legislation followed talks between the ECB, the government and the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO).
He said a campaign called "Keep off the field" would be launched with posters warning would-be pitch invaders of the consequences of their actions.
The same message would be delivered before matches on the public address system and the television replay screen.
Longer-term measures will include a co-ordinated security policy for all venues and eliminating walkways or any other potential gathering points.
Deutrom said Indian officials were already in England looking at security measures for this year's four-Test series. England also play a three-Test series against Sri Lanka.
Board of Control for Cricket in India secretary Niranjan Shah said on Monday the board was concerned because of last year's crowd trouble and security threats to captain Sourav Ganguly and leading batsman Sachin Tendulkar.
Last year Pakistani supporters interrupted the opening day-night match against England in Birmingham and caused a steward to be taken to hospital with rib injuries at Headingley.
Australia captain Steve Waugh took his side off the field at Trent Bridge after a firecracker exploded near fast bowler Brett Lee.
After the series final between Australia and Pakistan at Lord's, Australia batsman Michael Bevan was struck on the cheek by a full beer can thrown from the crowd during the presentation ceremony.
Mail Cricket Editor
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