Stadium security nightmare

National News
Stadium security nightmare
2010-06-14 22:49
Police security at Cape Town stadium. (Schalk van Zuydam, AP)
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In one of the biggest security nightmares to hit the World Cup to date, police had to be rushed to the Cape Town stadium on Monday after a walk-out by security officials. More than a thousand law enforcement officials converged on the stadium, some escorted by flying squad vehicles, sirens wailing.A spokesperson for Cape Town City, Kylie Hatton, told News24 they realised on Monday afternoon that a problem was developing.As a pre-emptive action, traffic police, metro police and SAPF officers from Gallows Hill station, which is the headquarters for the security operation at the stadium, were deployed at the stadium. Police spokesperson Colonel Billy Jones told News24 that the additional officers were bussed in from police colleges. The busses went back and forth to fetch the reinforcements - some of them trainee policemen. Hatton said due to the campaign to get fans to travel lighter, people came without bags and backpacks so security searches were quicker. By 20:00 about 80% of the spectators had gone through security.