Wimbledon queue accused of ‘defecating and urinating’ in woods while waiting to enter

The All England Club has responded to claims from a local campaigner that fans queuing to buy tickets to Wimbledon have been defecating and urinating in local woodland

A local campaigner has claimed that Wimbledon fans are defecating and urinating in the woods while queuing. Tennis fans have been queueing overnight to purchase tickets to watch the action and it has been alleged that local woodland is being misused by some.

Simon Wright, a member of Save Wimbledon Park, told the PA News Agency that the problems are particularly bad in the Horse Close Wood area. “We’ve come across used tissues – it’s clear what they’ve been used for,” he said.

“Human faeces are far worse than animal faeces in terms of the microbiological load they carry. It’s partly the health risk, but it’s also the lack of respect.

“There’s a postcard-sized notice saying please respect these woods – it’s a bit mealy-mouthed. Last night, I met three guys heading off there to have a p***.”

However, the All England Club says they have not seen any evidence to substantiate the claims and stated that stewards regularly patrol the area in a bid to keep it well maintained.

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More than 40,000 people have passed through the queue across the first four days of the tournament. Similar claims were made back in 2015, with a Wimbledon park user telling the Wimbledon Guardian : “I can’t bring myself to go near it to clear it away and why should I?

“All you can smell is dry wee, people have been weeing all over the place. It hasn’t been very well organised this year if this is happening.”

At the time, the All England club said issues were down to the actions of a “very small minority” with a spokesperson stating: “This was deplorable behaviour and completely unacceptable that the anti-social actions of a very small minority should besmirch the good reputation of the vast majority of queuers.”

Merton council, who are responsible for maintaining the park, added: “There is no excuse for this type of behaviour, especially given that we provide mobile toilets to cope with the extra demand during the championships.

“We are confident that the vast majority of park users use the facilities available should they need to and if there is a small minority of people abusing the park in this way, we would ask that they, too, use the facilities provided.”

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