Over-Policing at Football Matches 'Contributes to Fan Tension'

[cheshire_red]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-44871578

[Meh]

The WMP will be high fiving themselves tonight and possibly working on plans for more officers at games.

Those thugs love it !! 

[reddoh]

1 minute ago, Neo said:

The WMP will be high fiving themselves tonight and possibly working on plans for more officers at games.

Those thugs love it !! 

@Fordy62 aren't you wmp do you have a reply? 

[Mr Popodopolous]

While this is undoubtedly true.

For the benefit of @Neo reading FSFSF Faircop as I do, it's interesting to see a force that gets common praise for their approach...WMP.

However that aside, overly robust policing and stewarding- particularly in a game that's quite tribal, where passions run high.

Overly heavy handed policing etc will cause trouble- anyone who goes to live football knows this.

[ZiderEyed]

46 minutes ago, Neo said:

The WMP will be high fiving themselves tonight and possibly working on plans for more officers at games.

Those thugs love it !! 

They love it as much as the 'lads' do. They're a firm and anyone who says otherwise has a very sheltered view of football violence.

[Mr Popodopolous]

9 hours ago, ZiderEyed said:

They love it as much as the 'lads' do. They're a firm and anyone who says otherwise has a very sheltered view of football violence.

Odd how they often win claims of good practice for policing of football.

Maybe it's just us they don't like so much...with the feeling being mutual.

[Mr Popodopolous]

36 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Odd how they often win claims of good practice for policing of football.

Maybe it's just us they don't like so much...with the feeling being mutual.

That said our treatment at Birmingham in 2015 and Walsall in 2004 was bang out of order.

[BobBobSuperBob]

54 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Odd how they often win claims of good practice for policing of football.

Maybe it's just us they don't like so much...with the feeling being mutual.

Chatting to other fans around the country over the years , I’d say they have a pretty poor widespread reputation 

[exAtyeoMax]

I suppose I'm thinking of the over-policing at the Man City game around the singing section…that was too much. People rightly felt intimidated by their presence

[STeveOELlis]

Sunderland away a prime example - heavy handend policing at its finest

[...]

32 minutes ago, SonOfDjuric said:

Sunderland away a prime example - heavy handend policing at its finest

Don't forget the Police have intelligence we don't get access too.

E.g. All football fans are hooligans.

[Natchfever]

11 hours ago, ZiderEyed said:

They love it as much as the 'lads' do. They're a firm and anyone who says otherwise has a very sheltered view of football violence.

They also smash people publicly with impunity.They are therefore worse.

[...]

I'll NEVER forget a soaking wet away match at Brentford.

Bastards refused to let me in with an umbrella, and THEN ................. refused to hold onto said umbrella until I came out after the game.

The mental scars hurt just as much as the physical ones.

"Bastards".

[...]

P.S. Yes, if it had been in the Victorian era, I would have definitely caught a chill and died.

[Undy English]

Like to consider myself a sensible chap. I see a line of riot police, it doesn't make me want to go and kick peoples heads in. A lot of footy fans use it as a justifiable excuse to act like ****ts, our own fans included.

That said, is it a contributing factor? Absolutely. Cardiff away a few years back a prime example. City fans hemmed into a pub, an army of mounted police, dogs, vans and riot police waiting outside. Orders being shouted, 400 odd fans being force marches 1.5 miles to the ground, which attracted the attention of numerous local gangs throwing bits. Police got heavy handed with batons, randomly hitting people which in turn caused more violence and aggro. In the end it was just a free-for-all in the escort back to the station. The actions of the police created heightened tension and targets that contributed to all of this trouble.

[Mr Popodopolous]

4 hours ago, BobBobSuperBob said:

Chatting to other fans around the country over the years , I’d say they have a pretty poor widespread reputation 

Yeah, looked into it a bit further and yeah not a great rep.

Yet, it's a mixed picture. FSF Faircop say they are one of the better for engagement with fans (no idea of accuracy),  and they apparently hold monthly IAG meetings with fans from all clubs in WMP Areas. Plus rather interestingly (don't know if anymore have followed suit) WMP have the countries first Independent Football Advisory Group. Could all be PR exercises though which bear little resemblance to Matchday behaviour- but I think they have a particular problem with our fanbase.

[Natchfever]

3 hours ago, Undy English said:

Like to consider myself a sensible chap. I see a line of riot police, it doesn't make me want to go and kick peoples heads in. A lot of footy fans use it as a justifiable excuse to act like ****ts, our own fans included.

That said, is it a contributing factor? Absolutely. Cardiff away a few years back a prime example. City fans hemmed into a pub, an army of mounted police, dogs, vans and riot police waiting outside. Orders being shouted, 400 odd fans being force marches 1.5 miles to the ground, which attracted the attention of numerous local gangs throwing bits. Police got heavy handed with batons, randomly hitting people which in turn caused more violence and aggro. In the end it was just a free-for-all in the escort back to the station. The actions of the police created heightened tension and targets that contributed to all of this trouble.

Yep. Mate of mine who is certainly not a hooligan got a bad whack off a mounted Heddlu, whilst simply walking along the road. That fine upstanding organisation then leant on him severely to let the matter drop. 

[Flaxbourton Red]

Waste of tax payers money. 

[ZiderEyed]

10 hours ago, Undy English said:

Like to consider myself a sensible chap. I see a line of riot police, it doesn't make me want to go and kick peoples heads in. A lot of footy fans use it as a justifiable excuse to act like ****ts, our own fans included.

That said, is it a contributing factor? Absolutely. Cardiff away a few years back a prime example. City fans hemmed into a pub, an army of mounted police, dogs, vans and riot police waiting outside. Orders being shouted, 400 odd fans being force marches 1.5 miles to the ground, which attracted the attention of numerous local gangs throwing bits. Police got heavy handed with batons, randomly hitting people which in turn caused more violence and aggro. In the end it was just a free-for-all in the escort back to the station. The actions of the police created heightened tension and targets that contributed to all of this trouble.

Absolutely it's a contributing factor. Police provocation can't be dismissed as a factor in football related violence. The Heddlu and City are case in ******* point for that.

[B1ackbird]

11 hours ago, ... said:

I'll NEVER forget a soaking wet away match at Brentford.

Bastards refused to let me in with an umbrella, and THEN ................. refused to hold onto said umbrella until I came out after the game.

The mental scars hurt just as much as the physical ones.

"Bastards".

Is that when we won 2-0?

[Rinkadink]

21 hours ago, Loon plage said:

Yep. Mate of mine who is certainly not a hooligan got a bad whack off a mounted Heddlu, whilst simply walking along the road. That fine upstanding organisation then leant on him severely to let the matter drop. 

Seen similar myself, I don't know what can be done about it as it's very difficult if not impossible to bring the offenders to justice.

What would you suggest?

[NOTBLUE]

1 hour ago, Rinkadink said:

Seen similar myself, I don't know what can be done about it as it's very difficult if not impossible to bring the offenders to justice.

What would you suggest?

I’ve suggested it before,if the police come on heavy handed,everyone get their phones out and film them,and I don’t mean one or two,it would be interesting to see their reaction if you get hundreds of people filming them at the same time.

[Natchfever]

2 hours ago, Rinkadink said:

Seen similar myself, I don't know what can be done about it as it's very difficult if not impossible to bring the offenders to justice.

What would you suggest?

I don't believe anything can be done. A well aired issue involving a Millwall fan last season outside AG was simply labelled "justifiable force" when it clearly wasn't.

It probably needs a very wealthy person to take out a private prosecution and get someone to lose their job and pension for them to even think about it.

[Mr Popodopolous]

24 minutes ago, Loon plage said:

I don't believe anything can be done. A well aired issue involving a Millwall fan last season outside AG was simply labelled "justifiable force" when it clearly wasn't.

It probably needs a very wealthy person to take out a private prosecution and get someone to lose their job and pension for them to even think about it.

Do you mean a high up in the police organisation-or an individual guilty/accused of for example the whack off mounted Heddlu as described? 

Without going into too much detail, there are some very good solicitors out there (usually based in London) who deal with police misconduct etc.

[Carey 6]

32 minutes ago, Loon plage said:

I don't believe anything can be done. A well aired issue involving a Millwall fan last season outside AG was simply labelled "justifiable force" when it clearly wasn't.

It probably needs a very wealthy person to take out a private prosecution and get someone to lose their job and pension for them to even think about it.

Still can't believe that. Looking after their own massively.

On the topic of Millwall. Dawn raids on a few houses this morning because of the trouble at the away game. 

[ZiderEyed]

2 minutes ago, Carey 6 said:

Still can't believe that. Looking after their own massively.

On the topic of Millwall. Dawn raids on a few houses this morning because of the trouble at the away game. 

Almost like the police just want to get their numbers up and justify their presence at games. 9(?) more marks on their chart. 

[Natchfever]

1 hour ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Do you mean a high up in the police organisation-or an individual guilty/accused of for example the whack off mounted Heddlu as described? 

Without going into too much detail, there are some very good solicitors out there (usually based in London) who deal with police misconduct etc.

I mean the individual, although of course a Commissioner falling on his/her sword like the CEO of a newspaper or an oil company might encourage a change in policing tactics.

[Natchfever]

58 minutes ago, Carey 6 said:

Still can't believe that. Looking after their own massively.

On the topic of Millwall. Dawn raids on a few houses this morning because of the trouble at the away game. 

Yes mate. Just defending themselves which was as clear as day to anyone other than OB.

[Carey 6]

1 minute ago, Loon plage said:

Yes mate. Just defending themselves which was as clear as day to anyone other than OB.

Yep. It’s like they want/expected them to just stand there and take a hiding

Hopefully no convictions are made. 

[Miah Dennehy]

On ‎25‎/‎07‎/‎2018 at 09:14, BobBobSuperBob said:

Chatting to other fans around the country over the years , I’d say they have a pretty poor widespread reputation 

The WMP are awful- or certainly have been in the past- I have had problems there a few times (Had to hitch hike home once with a mate as they nicked everyone else on our mini bus including the driver!) They still seemed heavy handed on more recent visits, although maybe not as quite 'up for it' as a few years back. And yes I really do think some of them were genuinely 'up for it' and wanted trouble.