Top-notch security for World Cup

There will be car searches, body searches and rigorous character and other background checks before anyone is allowed anywhere near Kensington Oval during next year's World Cup (CWC). But visitors to Barbados for the Caribbean's biggest event are assured they can feel safe and confident about their security.

Commissioner of Police Darwin Dottin gave that guarantee yesterday as he gave an update on security plans for the island which will include specific safety measures for the remodelled Kensington Oval and other match and practice venues.

In an exclusive interview with the Sunday Sun, the police chief said he was satisfied with security arrangements and hinted that Barbadians will soon see several aspects of the measures taking shape. He said: "I am sending this message to the international community that our preparations are world class and they can feel safe and confident that we will protect their citizens."

Dottin, whose Police Force has over-riding responsibility for CWC's security arrangement with assistance from several other agencies including Barbados Defence Force, Customs and Immigration departments, said security planners have taken into account every aspect of safety for the 2007 sporting event.

"I want to make it clear that it is not only about security at Kensington Oval on the day that the match is being played or whether a game is played at the 3Ws Oval or whether they are practising at Weymouth. But it is an issue of national security and because the event is so large it does impact on national security and we are trying to ensure the safety of persons attending the games and also the public at large."

Dottin said the Force's Tactical Unit will play a major role in the counter-terrorism plan and spoke of extensive training with bomb and explosive experts and underwater divers. He also outlined certain plans for Kensington Oval and spoke of a rigid security ring for the playing area and the immediate environs.

For example, every person entering the Oval would be subjected to rigid search and scanned with electronic devices at every point of entry. There will also be strict measures with respect to vending and the conducting of other business in the area.

He also spoke about the necessity of the park-and-ride arrangements. "There is a good security reason for that, apart from the fact there is a need to avoid traffic congestion in the area of Kensington Oval. There is also security consideration as well, given what has happened in the world . . . car bombs and so on.

"We are also promoting the use of what we call "remote search parks" . . . that is to say that for a vehicle which wants to go into Kensington Oval, it will not just drive up to the Oval. Instead it will go to a location where a car check would be conducted and it would be escorted into Kensington Oval and this will happen with most service vehicles. Once the delivery has been made, it will be escorted back out," Dottin said . Even officials, the press and others seeking to get accreditation will be subjected to rigorous character and other background checks before permission is granted. "We are making good progress and, from time to time, I will report to the nation because there is a need to satisfy and to sensitise Barbadians about what is going on, and there is the need to assure the international community that adequate arrangements are in place."