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August 9, 2024
In the wake of unrest in cities throughout after the three young girls in Southport died, England police are investigating the possibility that violence may break out at upcoming football matches.
In light of the recent events, assessments of previous matches are being reexamined, and individual forces are collaborating closely with league officials and the Football Policing Unit (UKFPU), a specialized unit dedicated to ensuring the safety and security of football events.
The steps are being taken as part of the government’s and police’s plans to deal with future disorder, according to Keir Starmer, who also said that potential unrest brought on by the start of football season was “added into the mix.”
Every game this weekend will be evaluated to determine whether additional police are required inside or outside the stadium, during pre-game fan gatherings, or during the post-game tailgate. Evaluations will also consider the possibility of adding more police to areas like city or town centers where fans congregate.
Intelligence on well-known troublemakers connected to football is being reexamined. Since no information indicates a higher risk of violence at games than usual, the reassessment is being done out of caution.
Anticipating potential unrest, the police have already increased the number of riot-trained officers assigned to their duties this weekend.
Friday night’s two opening Championship games are Preston North End vs Sheffield United and Blackburn Rovers vs Derby County, both starting at 8 p.m.
The opening match occurs in Middlesbrough, the site of last weekend’s violent unrest, at midday on Saturday. The Community Shield game between Manchester United and City at Wembley begins at 3 p.m. after that.
“There is no intelligence suggesting trouble at this weekend’s football games,” a source stated.
When asked if controlling rioting would be more straightforward or more difficult during the football season, the prime minister responded to reporters at Scotland Yard as follows: “I think there were a lot of things in the mix this weekend, but of course, whatever the challenge, we have to rise to it. That’s why I’ve had Cobra meetings; that’s why I’ve been talking to the police today about their plans for the weekend.”
The Premier League’s opening games this year begin later this month, with Manchester United at home to Fulham on 16 August and others the following day.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council chair, Gavin Stephens, informed reporters that specialized police units and league representatives attempted to “effectively refresh” assessments of forthcoming games. According to Stephens, the method for assessing the likelihood of disruptions was “tier by tier,” “fixture by fixture,” during a briefing for media.
“In reality, what would probably happen to do with some of those football fixtures is the resources will be drawn down the tiers in order to bolster, bolster extra support,” he said.
While football hooligans have historically provided support to the far right in Britain, especially in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s when the neo-Nazi group Combat 18 was active among English supporters, some fans have also been a pillar of support for far-right agitator Tommy Robinson.
In the past, the Premier League has issued warnings regarding the Islamophobic actions of organizations like the Football Lads Alliance, which has since split.
Stephens, a Hartlepool United fan, said: “The other thing that I’d say, though, particularly about football, is that, yes, there are elements involved in football-related violence, and we have our football policing unit for things banning orders. But my experience of football, particularly at that local level, is that they are great places, with a community spirit as well.”
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