No knitting at Lib Dem conference
By Tony Grew - 17th September 2010
Merseyside police have warned people attending the Liberal Democrat conference in Liverpool this weekend not to bring pen knives, letter openers, knitting needles, helium balloons, chains or handcuffs.
Other banned items include "hunting horns, klaxons, whistles, ropes, placards or banners that clearly signal an intent to demonstrate" within the secure zone.
Also, be warned not to bring "powder secreted in condoms".
As this picture from last year's conference shows, Lib Dem delegates have been known to knit during speeches.
The party website warns "there are no dramatic changes, but regular conference attendees will notice more stringent security procedures than usual".
It will all be a bit of an adjustment for the Lib Dems - usually they complain that their conference is not given enough coverage by the press.
This year more than 1,500 media have been given credentials, and the conference will be the biggest ever.
There will also be "an enhanced security operation" for the first time.
Merseyside Police said:
"The following articles are deemed to be prohibited articles and will not be permitted in the conference venue:
"Any firearm or any article having the appearance of being a firearm, whether capable of being discharged or not.
"Any explosive or article manufactured or adapted (whether in the form of a bomb, grenade or otherwise) so as to have the appearance of being an explosive, whether it is capable of providing practical effect by explosion or not, including any article marked or labelled to indicate that it is or contains explosives.
"Any article made or adapted for the use of causing injury to or incapacitating a person, for example, knives, handcuffs, martial arts equipment, noxious substances, etc.
"Any 'hoax' device or items, which has been assembled to give the appearance of a genuine device that may introduce concerns, such as powder secreted in condoms etc.
"Any item that may give cause for concern that the person may wish to disrupt the conference, such as:
"Any item not necessarily designed for harm or disruption but could be used in such a way.
"This includes (but the list is not exhaustive) pen knives, letter openers, knitting needles, helium balloons, chains and locks.
"Merseyside Police accepts that it is impractical to produce a definitive list of 'prohibited articles'.
"An element of discretion will rest with the event security to make provision for such circumstances.
"Any items confiscated will be returned to delegates upon leaving the ACC."
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