Tight Security for the fourth Ashes Test

Security has been beefed up for the fourth Test at Headingley Carnegie after unruly crowd behaviour during the third Test at Edgbaston. "The reputation that Headingley has got has been built up over many years. The West Stand has a reputation as a party area and we've got to break that," Yorkshire Chief Executive Stewart Regan was quoted as saying in the Times.

Security has been beefed up for the fourth Test at Headingley Carnegie after unruly crowd behaviour during the third Test at Edgbaston.

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"The reputation that Headingley has got has been built up over many years. The West Stand has a reputation as a party area and we've got to break that," Yorkshire Chief Executive Stewart Regan was quoted as saying in the Times.

"We've put together a series of measures to ensure that those people who want to watch the cricket are not disrupted by those who are simply there to have a good time," he added.

The fourth Test starts on Friday and Yorkshire have linked up with ECB Crowd Management working party to improve the security measures.

"Some of the most famous matches in Ashes history have been played at this ground," Regan said.

"We want our crowd management measures to be firm but fair. If we feel that behaviour is unacceptable, those people will be removed from the ground. This is not just a cricket issue, it's a society issue," he added.

Spectators are restricted to purchase a maximum of four tickets in order to discourage large group sittings. "Spotters" and Stewards will be employed to check spectators in beer stalls and in front of stalls respectively.

Even the Barmy Army, a supporter group of the England team, which was criticised for booing Australian skipper Ricky Ponting at Edgbaston, will be restricted to 200 seats who were earlier granted 500 seats.