Probe into cricket crossbow bolt incident

Police inquiries continue into a crossbow bolt landing on The Oval field during Surrey's County Championship clash with Middlesex.

Police at The Oval cricket ground in London

Police inquiries continue into a crossbow bolt landing on The Oval during a county game. (AAP)

Investigations into a crossbow bolt landing on The Oval field during Surrey's County Championship clash with Middlesex are ongoing, the Metropolitan Police have confirmed.

Middlesex batsmen John Simpson and Nick Compton and Surrey's fielders were ushered inside by umpires after the incident, while more than 1000 spectators were urged to take cover before armed police carried out a "controlled evacuation".

The incident is not being treated as terrorist-related and the Met Police are urging anyone with footage to contact them.

Officers and an armed police response team arrived within 15 minutes and a full search of the ground was carried out by officers and around 30 security staff.

A Met Police statement on Friday morning said no arrests had been made.

"Detectives from Lambeth are appealing for anyone with footage of the moments up to and including the loose of a crossbow bolt at The Oval to come forward.

"There were significant crowds watching the match and it is likely that a number of those present will have footage of the incident that could assist in our investigation," Detective Constable Dominic Landragin said.

"Although nobody was injured, this was a reckless action taken with no regard for the safety and well-being of the spectators or the players. It is important that we trace those responsible.

"As a result of the incident, the match being played was suspended and the ground evacuated.

"It is believed that the bolt came from outside of the ground."

The division one encounter - which was meandering towards a stalemate in the final session, with Middlesex holding a 181-run lead with three second-innings wickets in hand - was officially called off at 5.05pm, 45 minutes after the incident occurred.

Surrey captain Gareth Batty was fielding about 25 metres from where the pink bolt, with red and yellow fletching, landed.

"It was a pretty tasty arrow with a proper metal end.

"I did archery as a kid and that was not a normal archery arrow. The umpires dealt with it very well. There were no questions asked - we went off very quickly.

"Someone saw it in flight, there was a noise when it landed, but it happened so quick. It is a deadly weapon for sure. If it had hit someone, it would have caused some serious damage. It just shows the world we live in."


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Source: AAP



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