An Independent Review of Football Policing in Scotland An Independent Review of Football Policing in Scotland | 1 2 | An Independent Review of Football Policing in Scotland Index 1. Background ..................................................................................................................5 2. Terms of reference ........................................................................................................6 3. Executive summary ......................................................................................................7 4. Statutory safety regime and framework .....................................................................11 5. Operational planning and delivery of football policing ...............................................15 6. Training and Continuous Professional Development (CPD) .......................................23 7. Preventative measures in football policing .................................................................37 8. National coordination and the role of FoCUS ............................................................43 9. Engagement ...............................................................................................................53 10. Summary and table of recommendations ..................................................................61 11. Contributors to the report ..........................................................................................63 12. Matches observed ......................................................................................................66 13. Review team ...............................................................................................................67 An Independent Review of Football Policing in Scotland | 3 4 | An Independent Review of Football Policing in Scotland Background it should be noted safety at events is Police Scotland was formed in the primary responsibility of the event 2013 with the merger of eight organiser, supported by the police and regional police forces, as well as the other stakeholders. Consequently, where specialist services of the Scottish relevant, the review has commented on Police Services Authority, including broader aspects of event management in the Scottish Crime and Drug Scotland. Enforcement Agency. The review was led by DCC Mark Roberts, Since its inception, Police Scotland the National Police Chiefs’ Council has successfully delivered policing at (NPCC’s) football policing lead and was numerous high profile events including supported by a range of relevant subject the Commonwealth Games 2014, the matter experts. Details of the review team 2014 Ryder Cup, the European Athletics and contributors to the review are included Championship 2018, the 2017 Scotland v. at the conclusion of this report. England football match and the visit of the President of the United States in 2018. The UEFA European Championships 2020, will see the Hampden Park stadium in Glasgow host several matches. In advance of this, Police Scotland commissioned this independent assurance review of policing matches in Scotland to ensure that, five years after its inception, they listen to, and reflect on, the wider range of views from those involved with football. The review was intended to specifically include the perspective of Scottish clubs, leagues, fans and the media while focusing, in particular, on two principal thematic areas: how matches are operationally policed and, equally importantly, how those policing operations are perceived and experienced by supporters and relevant parties. The review aims to identify areas of good practice to ensure these are applied consistently, while identifying any areas for improvement. While the focus of the review is clearly the role of policing, An Independent Review of Football Policing in Scotland | 5 Terms of Reference The two thematic areas of the review are: 1. Operational planning for, and the 2. How the policing of football management of, football matches matches ‘feels’ to those involved including the approach to: including: • Risk identification, management • Presentation (i.e. operational and mitigation demeanour and tone of operational deployments); • Intelligence gathering and its efficacy • Stakeholder engagement and confidence; • Information sharing with clubs and supporters’ groups • Communication and media relations. • Resource deployment and flexibility, both within and outside football stadia To be completed by: • Command and control clarity and Christmas 2018. practices. Review Recipient: Chief Constable Iain Livingstone QPM 6 | An Independent Review of Football Policing in Scotland Executive Summary Police Scotland commissioned this review As with any review, there are areas to examine two fundamental issues: highlighted where Police Scotland can build on its strengths; one such theme • Is their football policing model fit for being a lack of consistency in delivery, purpose and while, it is accepted, this does not lead to a compromise in safety or operational • How does it feel to be policed at a activity. This was evident across the range football match by Police Scotland? of areas covered in the review and, as such, progress can be readily achieved. The review has drawn evidence The review deals with each of these from a wide range of individuals and examples in detail. As Scotland, coupled organisations and it was encouraging that with England, will be one of the host there was a genuine enthusiasm from all venues for EURO 2020, it is an opportune the contributors to work collaboratively to time to reflect on the degree to which improve the experience of those attending forces within the UK are interoperable. football matches in Scotland. Views were The EURO 2020 fixtures will be held taken from all who wished to contribute in Glasgow, which has a strong record and when recommendations have been of delivering high-profile and high-risk made, they are, wherever practical, events. Given the ongoing strain on police based on submissions, which can be resources, it is in the interests of all to substantiated from a number of sources. ensure a consistent approach to training, tactics and policies while reflecting the The findings of this review are that the chief local context of each nation. The review constable and the Scottish public should highlights opportunities to enhance the be confident that Police Scotland has a synergy in these areas, relating to football proven track record of effectively delivering policing, between Police Scotland, the all manner of high-profile events, football Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), included, and has the requisite capability English and Welsh forces, and enhanced to work with relevant stakeholders to sharing of good practice and overall discharge its responsibilities in keeping resilience. football fans safe. As such, its operational policing model for football is certainly fit In relation to engagement with supporters, for purpose. The policing of football in there is particular inconsistency in the Scotland compares well to operations role of the dedicated football officer (DFO) across other European countries and who, ideally, should provide the local has some excellent examples of good connection between Police Scotland, practice, which others should seek to learn clubs and supporters. This is a strength from. Police Scotland has experienced where it works well, but, in some areas, practitioners at all levels of operational there is a gap which risks undermining delivery and benefits from working with the relationship with supporters. Police professional, engaged and well-motivated Scotland would benefit from a structured stakeholders, notably the Scottish Football and strategic force level engagement and Association (SFA), Scottish Professional media strategy, rather than relying on Football League (SPFL) and the Football formulaic ‘be good or else’ messages prior Safety Officers Association (FSOA). to high profile matches, or being reactive An Independent Review of Football Policing in Scotland | 7 to issues or events. From the focus group FoCUS is still strongly associated with with the media, there appears to be an the (now repealed) Offensive Behaviour at appetite for greater engagement and the Football legislation, with many supporters’ review found a wealth of good initiatives groups referring to them as ‘the sectarian in football policing that could offer a more unit’. This label is somewhat unwarranted rounded and positive perspective of Police and unfair, however, Police Scotland Scotland’s approach. This area straddles has to acknowledge the perception of both aspects of the review, impacting supporters is their reality. It should be on the effective delivery of operational stressed FoCUS offer so much more to activity, but also very much linking to the the policing of football, including acting as question of ‘how does it feel to be policed the central information point for the force at football?’ with external countries. FoCUS has also led on innovative diversion initiatives and The review concludes Police Scotland prevention operations. Reflecting this, would benefit from a fully integrated the review recommends Police Scotland strategic engagement plan with supporters consider clearer terms of reference for at its heart. During discussions with the FoCUS, which, not only build on its media, it was clear they supported such obvious strengths, but also addresses a change in approach and are keen for the perceptions of supporters and other a new