After a couple of letters and a long wait I have eventually received a reply from Derek Bowden re. why bank searches and security checks are carried out at championship matches when few if any other counties carry out such procedures. I also questioned again the need to check out of the ground at certain times of the day.
Bowden confirms that security checks are not an ECB requirement but Essex ,don't you know, take security particularly seriously unlike others and was I aware the Uk is under severe threat from terrorism. So although your bag may not be checked when you get on the tube or a train or a bus or entering the Chelmer shopping centre the average septuagenarian retired 'proper' cricket watcher is a potential menace. Last week even the primary school kid's lunch boxes were inspected. Well you can't be too careful.
As many of us thought the checking in and out procedure is necessary to know precisely how many people are in the ground at any one time in case of an emergency. This is obviously fool proof as any casual observer will note. If last week's experience was anything to go by if one leaves between say 4.45 and close of play no one checks you out anyway so let's hope there's no terrorism between those hours because it will throw their figures out no end.
Something tells me any notion of proportionality is not in Mr. Bowden's lexicon.
