Surrey County Cricket Club have increased security and bag checks at the Oval following the Golders Green stabbings earlier this week.
Police have charged Essa Suleiman, 45, with attempted murder following the stabbings of two Jewish men in north London on Wednesday, with the incident contributing to the UK terrorism threat level being raised to “severe”.
That is the second highest level on the scale and means the chance of terror attacks are considered “highly likely” by authorities.
Surrey’s County Championship clash against Sussex runs from Friday to Monday and the club has moved quickly to reflect the changing circumstances.
A club statement read: “Surrey are in regular communication with the Met Police and will adjust our own security measures in line with the increased threat level. We want to ensure that all staff, spectators and players feel safe and secure at the Kia Oval and will take the action necessary to do so.
“Please note there will be additional security presence and heightened bag searches at this weekend’s Rothesay County Championship match with Sussex, so please allow additional time to enter the ground.”
Surrey have been pioneering a new scheme this season that encourages home-based workers to use the ground as their office, utilising desks and new super-fast broadband connections.
Their last home match, against Essex, saw a 21st century record of 15,663 spectators in attendance.
Surrey, who won three straight County Championship titles between 2022 and 2024, are looking to regain their crown this season after Nottinghamshire finished top of Division One last year.
However, they are currently sixth in the table after drawing their opening three fixtures of the season against Essex, Leicestershire and Warwickshire.
They are 18 points behind leaders Warwickshire, while they are also trailing Somerset, Nottinghamshire, Sussex and Essex in the table heading into Friday’s match.
