Security to be stepped up at World Cup hotels

KINGSTON (JAMAICA): Security at hotels involved in the World Cup is expected to be increased following news that the police were now treating former Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer's death as murder.

Jamaica police officials also said on Thursday that the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel was now at the centre of a murder investigation and would also see a change in security.

Woolmer was found dead in his room at the hotel March 18 and rushed to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

"There is an ongoing murder investigation into the death of Robert Woolmer. As a result, the security arrangements at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel will be part of that investigation. It is therefore inappropriate at this time to discuss details of security arrangements," said Karl Angel, the communications director of the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

"However, security at official hotels connected with the (World Cup) is being continuously assessed and reviewed through a process supported by the intelligence community. We continue to maintain appropriate levels of security around teams, officials, media and sponsors.

"Since the death of Woolmer, we have increased uniformed security presence at the hotel with a focus mainly on control."

In a media conference Thursday evening, Angel announced police were now in possession of enough evidence to treat Woolmer's death as a murder, according to the Caribbean Media Corporation.

He said the pathologist report said that Woolmer's death was due to "asphyxia as a result of manual strangulation".