Police Today - Why?

After watching Town across 5 decades there has been times when I have walked away from games thinking is it worth it? That feeling has arisen usually due to a poor display by the team or shocking refereeing but today was different.

The Police presence today was completely over the top. I love going away to watch Town but am not sure any longer if I want to visit grounds to see Police officers dressed like they are about to take on some form of riot in a revolutionary state. I get that each game will have the odd trouble maker who can't drink in the afternoon but today was for too much.

They even had a crew in reserve as at half time they appeared to d some form of duty change with a load going out of the ground swapping with some incoming officers who again where dressed like a Action Men rather than bobby's.

Towards the end of the game when they all stood up from left to right I think I counted around 25 officers and possibly another half dozen in the stands. We may have "an element" as all clubs do but really?  

Not sure what to think about this other than after all these years I may give the away games a rest for a while if it means spending £20+ on a ticket to see a high vis and helmet parade each game.  

Quoted from HertsGTFC

After watching Town across 5 decades there has been times when I have walked away from games thinking is it worth it? That feeling has arisen usually due to a poor display by the team or shocking refereeing but today was different.

The Police presence today was completely over the top. I love going away to watch Town but am not sure any longer if I want to visit grounds to see Police officers dressed like they are about to take on some form of riot in a revolutionary state. I get that each game will have the odd trouble maker who can't drink in the afternoon but today was for too much.

They even had a crew in reserve as at half time they appeared to d some form of duty change with a load going out of the ground swapping with some incoming officers who again where dressed like a Action Men rather than bobby's.

Towards the end of the game when they all stood up from left to right I think I counted around 25 officers and possibly another half dozen in the stands. We may have "an element" as all clubs do but really?  

Not sure what to think about this other than after all these years I may give the away games a rest for a while if it means spending £20+ on a ticket to see a high vis and helmet parade each game.  

Reached that point a couple of seasons ago,the last away matches I attended were Wycombe and Colchester last season,thought why should I make all this effort when the team doesn't.

It's a simple opportunity for a bit of overtime Herts. Bonanza time. And maybe get an opportunity to crack a few heads. I think they call it job satisfaction.

The police obviously get a buzz out of it, it makes them feel important and gives them relatively easy prey to boost their crime figures. In the meantime, your house gets broken into by a professional burglar or your kids get sold drugs by a sophisticated crime syndicate and they are awkward and dangerous crimes to solve. I know I'd rather video a few football fans making vaguely obscene gestures than entering the criminal underworld and trying to weed out the malevolent dross of society.

Notts County will be the same I fear, same police force.

Oh well at least here imp fans will just have stewards to put up with strutting their stuff in the ground that should be interesting.

I agree that it seems to be escalating in presence, which at the same time the atmosphere at away games doesn't seem as much fun as before. Not just down to poor team performance.

Quoted from GrimRob

The police obviously get a buzz out of it, it makes them feel important and gives them relatively easy prey to boost their crime figures. In the meantime, your house gets broken into by a professional burglar or your kids get sold drugs by a sophisticated crime syndicate and they are awkward and dangerous crimes to solve. I know I'd rather video a few football fans making vaguely obscene gestures than entering the criminal underworld and trying to weed out the malevolent dross of society.

Absoulutely excellent post Rob, outstanding. Too drunk to respond properly, but nice and absolutely correct.

Quoted from KingstonMariner

It's a simple opportunity for a bit of overtime Herts. Bonanza time. And maybe get an opportunity to crack a few heads. I think they call it job satisfaction.

I can live with the team being crap away but take exception to the authorities (away club/Police Managers) thinking I'm scum because I wear a Town shirt.

I have nothing against the individual constables as despite the odd bad apple they generally do a difficult job outside of football often unarmed against some "real scum" who would have no hesitation to commit serious real crime.against us and them.

This is where we have got to, it ironic at best. At half time I went down the front behind the goal and a copper started talking to me, nothing threatening but just making a bit of conversation as I was on my phone looking at half times, seemed like a nice lad, then a steward came over and told me "I could not stand there" FFS I was stood next to a copper having a reasonable mature conversation what was I going to do cosh him with my beer belly and bomb the pitch?

Not the fault of the individuals but the decision makers I feel   

Looks like Mansfield agree too

http://www.stagsnet.net/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=32104

Feel free to tweet their Football Police account

https://twitter.com/MansPolFootball

I have also become disillusioned with going away and belong looked upon as an invading marauder. When you read some of the tosh about how they are there for safety and to assist you think what bulls##t, they put on a show of we're ready to jump on you as soon as you look at them, in fact to some people they could be quite intimidating. At major tournaments they try to interact with supporters and this has been found to make things better, unless the Russians are involved. Probably a lawyer could explain if they have the right to video people without there consent, or once again it's probably only football fans that this can happen to. I must stop now because strickley's on.

I well remember when we went to Highfield Road in the League Cup after beating Coventry at BP, and thinking we might get a result there as well. Big turn out from Town that night, and I think there were some fun and games outside the ground after the game, but during it the police - the notorious West Midlands Crime Squad no doubt - thought they could take liberties with Town fans and I noticed a number of folk being deliberately goaded to try and get a reaction.

I had my young son with me that night, he was only ten, and we were sat in the bottom half of the stand. As most of the fans were stood up we had no option to stand either if we wanted to see the game. Some bright spark plod nearby cam over to tell me and my son to sit down or he would take action. I pointed out that absolutely everybody else was stood up and that if he wished to go and speak to all of them and make them sit down I would be very happy indeed to follow his instructions. But no, he wanted to be the big I am and insisted I sit down or I would be ejected. After advising him to go forth and multiply, and to try and make me sit down he then weighed the situation up and called his CO over!

It all got sorted out eventually - and we stayed standing - but this idiot was just busting a gut to try and impress his buddies around him. When faced with a situation he couldn't handle he was made to look very foolish indeed.

Many times over the years, before moving north, I faced ridiculous levels and competence of policing when watching Town away, and it is my view that away fans are thought of as nothing more than animals in the Football League. Thoroughly enjoyed my away days watching a few games each season in the Conference where in the main you were treated with far more respect - as a human being in fact - although I'm aware there were a few notable exceptions.

The difference between non league and league is chalk and cheese where the treatment of fans are concerned and the Billy Big B0ll0cks who think they can treat fans so appallingly should be made to do non league policing for a season or two where they could learn things like civility and how to treat folk normally.

Because we have idiots who carry smoke bombs and for some reason a few people think going to a football match is about getting p1ss3d and then being as obnoxious as possible to fellow supporters, stewards and Police. Yes its overkill, but the number of times last season our supporters would stand on mass at the front, block the gangways/exit/entrance all game, jump on the pitch every time we score (how exciting a goal against Pub Team Utd, well worth a 3 year ban). Some of our fans behaviour is far from good at any game with a slight edge to it, so we brought much of it on ourselves. Yes the way we are treated sometimes is shocking Ive never been in trouble in my life and still get treated as if I am a potential thug just because I go to football match - Stevenage must have been horrendous for many that went and needs dealing with, and some small clubs are not set up to accomodate large followings, but until all fans can behave like reasonable human beings it wont stop. I await the red crosses for being a respectable law abiding person.

Quoted from Madeleymariner

Because we have idiots who carry smoke bombs and for some reason a few people think going to a football match is about getting p1ss3d and then being as obnoxious as possible to fellow supporters, stewards and Police. Yes its overkill, but the number of times last season our supporters would stand on mass at the front, block the gangways/exit/entrance all game, jump on the pitch every time we score (how exciting a goal against Pub Team Utd, well worth a 3 year ban). Some of our fans behaviour is far from good at any game with a slight edge to it, so we brought much of it on ourselves. Yes the way we are treated sometimes is shocking Ive never been in trouble in my life and still get treated as if I am a potential thug just because I go to football match - Stevenage must have been horrendous for many that went and needs dealing with, and some small clubs are not set up to accomodate large followings, but until all fans can behave like reasonable human beings it wont stop. I await the red crosses for being a respectable law abiding person.

It's a small minority. The police were prepared for a mass-scale riot.

Quoted from Jaws

It's a small minority. The police were prepared for a mass-scale riot.

I agree but until there is no small minority it wont change unfortuneately

It must be absolutely terrible if you were a perfectly law abiding Millwall supporter, as however we get treated they will be 10 times worse.

Quoted from jock dock tower

I well remember when we went to Highfield Road in the League Cup after beating Coventry at BP, and thinking we might get a result there as well. Big turn out from Town that night, and I think there were some fun and games outside the ground after the game, but during it the police - the notorious West Midlands Crime Squad no doubt - thought they could take liberties with Town fans and I noticed a number of folk being deliberately goaded to try and get a reaction.

I had my young son with me that night, he was only ten, and we were sat in the bottom half of the stand. As most of the fans were stood up we had no option to stand either if we wanted to see the game. Some bright spark plod nearby cam over to tell me and my son to sit down or he would take action. I pointed out that absolutely everybody else was stood up and that if he wished to go and speak to all of them and make them sit down I would be very happy indeed to follow his instructions. But no, he wanted to be the big I am and insisted I sit down or I would be ejected. After advising him to go forth and multiply, and to try and make me sit down he then weighed the situation up and called his CO over!

It all got sorted out eventually - and we stayed standing - but this idiot was just busting a gut to try and impress his buddies around him. When faced with a situation he couldn't handle he was made to look very foolish indeed.

Many times over the years, before moving north, I faced ridiculous levels and competence of policing when watching Town away, and it is my view that away fans are thought of as nothing more than animals in the Football League. Thoroughly enjoyed my away days watching a few games each season in the Conference where in the main you were treated with far more respect - as a human being in fact - although I'm aware there were a few notable exceptions.

The difference between non league and league is chalk and cheese where the treatment of fans are concerned and the Billy Big B0ll0cks who think they can treat fans so appallingly should be made to do non league policing for a season or two where they could learn things like civility and how to treat folk normally.

Loads of aggro that night at cov some of the worst fighting I've ever witnessed

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s.....outh-police-stewards


Very impressed by this article. The over zealous policing today was shocking. Sadly this is a national problem and stereotype which won't be eradicated any time soon.  

Quoted from Madeleymariner

Because we have idiots who carry smoke bombs and for some reason a few people think going to a football match is about getting p1ss3d and then being as obnoxious as possible to fellow supporters, stewards and Police. Yes its overkill, but the number of times last season our supporters would stand on mass at the front, block the gangways/exit/entrance all game, jump on the pitch every time we score (how exciting a goal against Pub Team Utd, well worth a 3 year ban). Some of our fans behaviour is far from good at any game with a slight edge to it, so we brought much of it on ourselves. Yes the way we are treated sometimes is shocking Ive never been in trouble in my life and still get treated as if I am a potential thug just because I go to football match - Stevenage must have been horrendous for many that went and needs dealing with, and some small clubs are not set up to accomodate large followings, but until all fans can behave like reasonable human beings it wont stop. I await the red crosses for being a respectable law abiding person.

I think you can probably get therapy for Stockholm Syndrome.

Police should deal with criminals when they see criminal acts being committed. They shouldn't treat everyone else as a criminal. I haven't a clue in what way I am responsible for the behaviour of knobheads who happen to be in the same part of a football stadium as me, and why I should suffer for their behaviour. If you have some practical advice as to how I can stop them being knobheads I'm all ears.

But go on making excuses for the police if you like being pushed around.

Quoted from 1739

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s.....outh-police-stewards


Very impressed by this article. The over zealous policing today was shocking. Sadly this is a national problem and stereotype which won't be eradicated any time soon.  

Great article. A sensible copper, making sensible remarks.

Nick is great.  If your on twitter Supt West from WYP is very good.  He's working on the Enable Research Project with Amanda at FSF and guys such as Clifford Stott.  Looks at crowd dynamics and how to manage them far more effectively than it is being done now.

To also note that more that once yesterday I was specifically asked for by either police or stewards to calm down a situation created by the way they handled things. I've absolutely no training in any area but I managed to sort it - Why? because I showed respect and listened to whoever was there and they did the same back.  Who knew this would work hey?!?

I would suggest Kristine that you where able to do that as you have earned the respect of many via your actions.

I noticed at half time you where busy with the diplomat part of your role.

Keep up the good work, the way you engage and inform the supporters keeps us all behind you.

UTM!!

Northampton copper at the railway station told us it's easy money on overtime as there's hardly any trouble.
At the same time his colleagues are running up and down the ramps because there are "a couple of people from Mansfield about".
In fcuking Mansfield....

I got talking to a copper at Nottingham Railway station and he said that in the briefings they get encouraged to wind up the Grimsby fans without making it obvious because they know some will get drunk off and kick off, therefore means an arrest.

He also told me that for big games it's not unheard of senior police officers having bets with other senior officers on how many football fans they can nick.

One senior pillock tells us if your house is broken into you might not get a visit by a bobby,

Unless you do not speak English or are disabled or elderly,

BUT

Come to a foot ball match they can find 40 or more bobbies to look at Town fans,
.

Quoted from Davec

I got talking to a copper at Nottingham Railway station and he said that in the briefings they get encouraged to wind up the Grimsby fans without making it obvious because they know some will get drunk off and kick off, therefore means an arrest.

He also told me that for big games it's not unheard of senior police officers having bets with other senior officers on how many football fans they can nick.

Yeah right!

Quoted from Davec

I got talking to a copper at Nottingham Railway station and he said that in the briefings they get encouraged to wind up the Grimsby fans without making it obvious because they know some will get drunk off and kick off, therefore means an arrest.

He also told me that for big games it's not unheard of senior police officers having bets with other senior officers on how many football fans they can nick.

You seem to have grown up a bit Aaron. But every now and then you revert back.
What an absolute load of sh1te.

Quoted from Civvy at last

You seem to have grown up a bit Aaron. But every now and then you revert back.
What an absolute load of sh1te.

No, its absolutely true...i overheard the same conversation ....the coppers opening line was;

"pssst...come here....i probably shouldnt tell you this as i could get into trouble but..."