Security tight for Lions training

Fans and Lions players were separated by a blanket of intense security and secrecy during training at Takapuna Rugby Club grounds yesterday morning.

As well as a strong police presence, fans were blocked by red fencing that prevented them from seeing inside.

Club manager Terry Healy said the Lions had fitted red vinyl material on the existing fences, "presumably to keep people from seeing inside".

Police Superintendent Ray Van Beynen, operations commander for the Lions tour, said police took a cautious approach yesterday.

"It was the first major training session and we had no idea how many people would turn up to see it, or how much disruption there would be.

"The rugby unions and the Lions have their own security people, but where there are members of the public involved, we have a policing responsibility."

Mr Healy said the police presence was "nothing excessive".

But the use of police resources has angered the Sensible Sentencing Trust.

Trust spokeswoman Susan Slater said the use of police was hurting New Zealand taxpayers while the rugby union collected millions of dollars.

"If we had an abundance of police resources I wouldn't worry about it," she said.

"But with all the mayhem going on, why should the taxpayer support the rugby union, who should be able to pay themselves for the security they need?

"[The Lions] have more chance of being murdered on the street than on the field at a training run.

"They're not royalty, they're only rugby players for goodness sake."

Lions spokeswoman Louisa Cheetham said the police presence was to ensure the safe passage of the team.

"It's all part of what is professional sport these days.

"We also have a small number of security with us advising on the logistics of getting in and out of places."

The Lions will be using the Takapuna ground as a training base while they are in Auckland.