More should be done to accommodate fans – in particular those who are traditionally ‘hard to reach’ (such as travelling ‘risk fans’ and those who associate with them). This would reflect recent developments in protest policing – that there is a role for ‘fan liaison’ officers who should be skilled in engagement and dialogue with ‘risk’ and ‘non-risk’ fans. This is according to a survey by the Football Supporters’ Federation. It did suggest that fans have what the group termed a ‘relatively positive perception’ of the police’s role in football. Among the survey suggestions was encouraging, via social media, pre-, during and post-match – feedback from and interaction with fans and ensuring that that this social media content is analysed and used in debriefs. The group calls for equality of policing between the two sets of fans, home and away. The survey points out that those who travel regularly to away fixtures have more cause for complaint. They in turn are the constituency that traditionally represent the most significant problems in terms of policing. According to the report, many fans appear to welcome the police role in keeping hostile rival fans segregated and providing escorts to and from away venues when necessary and proportionate. Such control measures appear to be welcomed when they allow access to pubs and ease of movement to and from stadiums. In general terms it appears that fans accept policing that is genuinely focused on ‘troublemakers’ and proportionate. For the full 13-page survey results, visit http://www.fsf.org.uk.
The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) has a ‘three pronged’ policing strategy to tackle football-related disorder.
This strategy includes, firstly, persuading ‘non-risk’ supporters that the authorities are working on their behalf; secondly, excluding “risk” supporters; third, ‘engaging’ and ‘positively influencing’ those who, given the right (or wrong?) time and place, might become involved in anti-social behaviour.
Malcolm Clarke, chair of the Football Supporters’ Federation, said: “Six thousand fans completed the FSF’s policing survey with the majority of fans accepting the police’s role in tackling the threat of public disorder. Supporters welcomed the police’s role in keeping hostile rival fans segregated and providing escorts to and from away venues when necessary and proportionate. It is important that all supporters, whatever the category, are policed on the basis of their behaviour and not on the basis of their category. But in general terms fans accept policing that is genuinely focused on ‘troublemakers’ and is itself proportionate.”
As for ACPO, its guidance recommends that police football “spotters” should act as a link between police service and the supporter community. The FSF supports this and backs the view that engagement between fans and police can only help enhance relations. ACPO lead on football policing ACC Andy Holt said: “Over the past two decades there has been steady progress in reducing football-related violence and disorder, with the model of policing football in the UK being replicated internationally.
“The survey published today by the Football Supporters Federation highlights that a key part of the successful model of policing is the specialist role football spotters have in building trust and confidence of football supporters.
“Encouragingly, the survey shows a relatively positive perception of fans in relation to the role of policing football, particularly where forces follow the recommended ACPO guidance which is aimed at excluding risk supporters and ensuring the safety and security of those millions of genuine fans who turn out each week to support their team.
“While the survey sample was small, it has highlighted several areas which will form part of our ongoing dialogue between the service and the FSF. We look forward to seeing the results of the separate stewarding report.”
