Food taken from fans and a fight at Worcestershire Rapids game

Worcestershire County Cricket Club were forced into a u-turn on a policy of not allowing fans to bring in food and drink after being heavily criticised for stewards' actions at the Worcestershire Rapids versus Birmingham Bears.

Reports emerged yesterday on social media that food had been confiscated from fans at the game - causing long queues during bag searches as people tried to enter.

One fan claimed his daughter had her chocolate muffin taken away at her first-ever match, leaving her very upset.

It was outrageous. My 4 year old’s first cricket match and her chocolate muffin is bought her for a treat at the cricket got confiscated! Cue very upset 4 year old. Her first experience of the game.

— James (@investor_bod) June 3, 2022

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The club put out a statement last night saying: "Following today’s opening home Vitality Blast fixture against Birmingham Bears and feedback from spectators, we have reviewed our ground regulations.

"Worcestershire County Cricket Club continually strives to operate with best practices and the safety and security of all spectators in mind, but are aware that there were long queues in bag search areas during today’s fixture.

"Additional staff resources will be allocated to complete bag searches for future fixtures to ensure smoother entry. 

"In addition, the policy which meant no food and drink could be brought into the ground has been lifted for the remaining Vitality Blast fixtures.

"Spectators will now be allowed to bring a modest amount of food into the ground for individual consumption; however, as in previous years, no alcohol can be brought into New Road during Vitality Blast fixtures.

"Any appropriate food collected during today’s fixture has been donated to a local food bank.

"We look forward to welcoming you to our next T20 fixture on Sunday against Leicestershire Foxes."

Tim Clarke, who attended the match, said: "I commend the club for salvaging food for the food bank but that is not really the point.

"People would have had to go and spend a lot more money on replacing the food that was taken away afterwards, which does not seem right.

"I could not quite understand why they did not apologise in their statement.

"There also seemed to be quite a large scuffle breaking out near the Basil D'Oliveira stand which was quite shocking to see.

"Fights are not something you at all expect to see at the cricket so a lot of the fans were quite taken aback really."

A sensible but reactionary move, does beg the question of why it was in place in the first place? Does fall short of an apology & reinforces the feeling that it’s all about the numbers relationships with fans & judging of the national picture is crucial. #peopleoverprofit

— Jabba Riaz (@JabbaRiaz) June 4, 2022

Worcestershire Rapids beat Birmingham Bears by 15 runs.

We have contacted Worcestershire County Cricket Club for more.