NCJ Number
57800
Journal
Police Journal Volume: 52 Issue: 2 Dated: (APRIL-JUNE 1979) Pages: 154-161
Date Published
1979
Length
8 pages
Annotation
PROCEDURES USED BY THE BRITISH POLICE TO MANAGE AND CONTROL THE MOVEMENT OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE DURING TRANSPORT TO AND FROM FOOTBALL MATCHES ARE OUTLINED.
Abstract
THE OUTBREAKS OF DISORDER OVER THE LAST DECADE HAVE BEEN INCREASING GREATLY, NECESSITATING THE PRESENCE OF POLICE TO MONITOR THE TRANSPORT OF SUPPORTERS TO AND FROM THE MATCHES IN ORDER TO AVOID VIOLENCE AND DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY. THE PROCEDURES USED FALL INTO FOUR CATEGORIES: (1) PREMATCH FLOW AT STATIONS, (2) FORWARD TRAFFIC BY TRAIN, (3) POSTMATCH FLOW AT STATIONS, AND (4) RETURN TRAFFIC BY TRAIN. THE PREMATCH FLOW IS THE MOVEMENT OF SUPPORTERS TO AND FROM STATIONS PRIOR TO MATCH STARTING TIMES. SUCH MOVEMENT REQUIRES POLICE ATTENTION WITH RESPECT TO SPECIAL AND CHARTER TRAINS, CROWD CONTROL AT TICKET BOOTHS, ENFORCEMENT OF ORDER ON PLATFORMS, WAITING ROOMS, BARS, ETC., ESCORT OF ARRIVING SUPPORTERS FROM STATION AREAS. THE FORWARD MOVEMENT OF SUPPORTERS INVOLVES MOVING SUPPORTERS TO DESTINATION STATIONS BY TRAINS. TRAINS MUST BE MARSHALLED BY ESCORTING OFFICERS ON THE TRAIN THEMSELVES AS WELL AS THOSE IN ATTENDENCE ON THE PLATFORMS. TRAINS MUST BE PATROLLED DURING TRIPS TO PREVENT THE OUTBREAK OF ANY DISORDERLY CONDUCT. THE POSTMATCH FLOW AT STATIONS IS OF A HIGH DENSITY AND IS MORE DIFFICULT TO HANDLE THAN THE FORWARD FLOW. THE RISK OF CLASHES BETWEEN RIVAL FACTIONS IS GREAT AND THE POLICE MUST GIVE SPECIAL ATTENTION TO TARGET AREAS OF TROUBLEMAKERS SUCH AS WAITING LINES AND STATION PLATFORMS. THE POLICE MUST TRY TO KEEP THE FLOW OF TRAVELLERS MOVING CONTINUALLY UNTIL THE PEAK PERIOD IS OVER, USUALLY AN HOUR AFTER THE END OF THE MATCH. THESE ARE THE BASIC PROCEDURES THAT CAN BE MODIFIED AS NEEDED TO ENSURE THAT SUPPORTERS ARE MOVED FROM ONE POINT TO ANOTHER WITH AS LITTLE INTERFERENCE AS POSSIBLE. TABLES ARE INCLUDED. (STB)