Dynamics of Policing Football Matches

[Gemmel]

Yesterday at the Alfred, was as bizarre policing as I have seen.

 

I have travelled home and away for 30 years without too many incidents, but the last four or five times I have seen any trouble at St Mary's, I personally believe the police are to blame for at least two of them.

 

It's a strange theory, that mosty law abiding citizens would dismiss out of hand, but having seen the dynamics of policing football first hand so many times, (You could state the outcome twenty minutes before it happens), it's not something I can keep passing off as"bad luck".

 

Yesterday at the Alfred, there were a lot of Villa fans all mingled in wtih Saints fans..... But not a hint of trouble.

 

Then the police turned up...

 

I don't know if they were caught unwares that Villa fans would be at one place in numbers, but they didn't like it and a few clicks on the radio and suddenly they were mob handed.

 

Now the trick here is to guage the atmosphere and "Feel" whether there is trouble (I am not quite sure how to explain that, other than the fact that I can tell almost instantly if the atmosphere is hostile or if there is potential to kick off) or to stay or go.

 

Well after they ushered everyone (That had been there for an hour or so without issue) back on to the pavement etc, it ended up with a group of Villa fans together and the rest Saints - Previously everyone had mingled without issue and the whole dynamics changed. It was now far more confrontational and became "Them and Us".

 

The police then proceded to form a ring around the front of the pub and what appeared to be the main man (Copper) with orange lapels, then bought out the cam corder.- Just to add some extra tension .

 

Now, I am sure they will cite the fact there was no trouble or arrests as vindication, but that really doesn't tell the story. There was never going to be any trouble and the only chance of that happening was AFTER the police got involved and the reality is, there hasn't been ever. So why the police thought they needed to "Spice" things up a bit, I have no idea, but i got the feeling they were willing it on.

[rocknrollman no2]

Theres been a few times at St Marys when the police have caused trouble,when there was no need to.Usually it starts when a policeman tells someone to stop using bad language in the Northam,when there is already the whole of block 40-42 telling the ref hes a wa--ker.

Ive also seen the same as you Gemmel,when both sets of fans are getting on well,yet the police then decide to start seperating people,thus causing tention.As for filming everyone,that only causes everyone to be anti police.

[Guest Dark Sotonic Mills]

I was in the Shooting Star in Bevois Valley just about 12.30 yesterday. There were about 6 people in there; one barmaid, two sparkies, two punters and me. A copper came in, striding through like Billy Big-B0110x with a cam-corder. Job creation scheme for him and a total waste of time and money. Who made the decision to send him in? And why?

[St_Tel49]

Gemmel - why don't you email your comments to whoever is in charge of policing. I think that what you are saying is quite an important point that needs to made. i.e if police arriving at a situation do not see any obvious trouble then they should just keep a discreet profile.

I thought that the Villa fans were A-OK and I had a chat with some after the match.

[Turkish]

This csnt be true. What about their new tactic they were congratulating themselves on yesterday of being nice and asking fans how they are?

[RedAndWhite91]

I've said it before, I'll say it again - Police at the football are w*nkers.

[scotty]

Its no better at Christian matches, apparently....

 

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/world-of-sport/christian-football-match-degenerates-brawl-120633104.html