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Wimbledon will not suffer from sport-induced security issues

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Wimbledon residents are being told the added pressures of two major sporting events this summer will not lead to any disturbances.

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By Mohamed Moallim

Wimbledon residents are being told the added pressures of two major sporting events this summer will not lead to any disturbances.

Aside from the annual tennis championships, the Football World Cup held in South Africa will prove to be big business for Wimbledon bars and pubs.

Both will be screened together when the tennis begins on June 21, when the World Cup will have been running for two weeks.

Local bar staff believe there will be no difficulties catering for both.

Wimbledon bar owner Natasha Osman said: “Those sorts of people [tennis and football people] would not normally be in the same place at same time.”

Ms Osman continued by adding that having both sets of sport lovers in the bar at the same time will not be difficult and saying there’s no need for bouncers to separate both.

There is always the concern, that despite no possible disturbances in pubs and bars, there could be at the Championship itself.

The Championship describes themselves, on their website, as having ‘comprehensive security measures’ in place.

Irena Vukicevic, 31 says: “I live in Southfields, which is the nearest station to the tournament and you do notice a lot more police around. It’s really difficult to get through when you’re walking past the courts and there are lots of security guards.

“Logically I suppose there’s a greater threat of terrorism at that time but Wimbledon seems quite secure and peaceful. Some people might see it as a threat but only because of the publicity.

“You notice more police, they’re more visible, but how extensive the security is I don’t know.”

In 2007 the tennis Championships was one of major events in London to have increased security, after the UK was placed on the highest level of terrorism alert.

This came as a result of the attack on Glasgow Airport being linked to two car bombs found in London .

The incident took place on the weekend of the 2007 Championships with security measures at Wimbledon extended right up to the gates.

Precautions included anti car-bomb measures and concrete vehicle blockers set up in front of the gates to the All England Club.

The 2010 Wimbledon Championships will take place from Monday 21 June through to Sunday 4 July 2010.

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