BRIDGETOWN, Sept 14: Security planning six months out from the cricket World Cup was further along than at the same stage for the 2003 Cup in South Africa, according to a senior official.

Rory Steyn, the head of security for the 2003 World Cup and a security consultant for the 2007 event, said on Wednesday he believed West Indies would have a comprehensive plan in place for the event.

“Given the length of time we have had to prepare, I would have to say we are in very good shape. We in the Caribbean are farther advanced, farther ahead than we were in South Africa for the 2003 tournament,” Steyn said.

Steyn and senior police and security officials from the nine host Caribbean countries have been meeting this week to harmonize planning. More than 400 tournament organizers and planners from over 60 countries are in weeklong meetings.

“Here, we have the benefit of drawing from the experience in South Africa and we can learn from the lesson there,” Steyn said. “We don't want to bump our heads twice and it's a very good position to be in.”—AP