Police Response????

[Les Beeavinu]

I write this as someone who was never able to go on Saturday and have read all the posts this week with a mixture of dismay and astonishment.

I'm getting really concerned as to what the police response might be. As it's usually the case that civil liberties don't apply to football fans, I'm concerned that police will over-react to the "threat" of loads of Bees fans WITH NO HISTORY FOR TROUBLE, descending on Southampton on Staurday.

The last thing anyone wants is to be arrested, or categorised as a future "threat to public order", ie end up on a database.

Hampshire police said on the BBC site that MA has made some "unhelpful" comments about people turning up regardless but had full resources deployed which suggests to me that if you turn up without a ticket (or the wrong one) you might not get anywhere near the ground and we all know what the police force do to football fans who disagree with them don't we?

I think it's important that Bees fans retain their dignity if they are going to the game on Saturday. The last thing we all want is to be cast as the villian of the piece, when we all know that the real villians will be sitting in the director's box. I think some pre-emptive discssions with the FA, reminding them of Bees fans good record might not go amiss.

It feel's like we're sending people off to a war zone, but I sincerely hope that innocent Bees fans don't become victims in all this mess.

 

[Loud and Proud]

**** them. Everyone get their arses down there no matter what!

 

[Beesnut]

Takes a brave man to criticise Martin Allen

 

[Dangerous]

The Police are well on top at the Saints as I found out the other year for the Macadonia home game at St Marys,also they have had be well on top as the likes of pompey the other week,I belive the Police will have the same tatics they had against pompey for us, So please bees behave on the day and get friendly with saints fans before the game and walk into the ground with them or with fellow bees fans with tickets in hand.

Be carefull at Southampton Station if you do not have a ticket as I have a horrible feeling the OB will be there checking tickets from the moment we all arrive so if you can have a ticket ready to hand or a saints mate waiting for you there.

Good Luck to everybody but please please all turn up anyway and show the club how badly wrong they got there allocation of tickets and show the nation how great the Bees Fans supporters are with no trouble.

 

[The H]

how can they stop you getting to the ground...... people will have their friends tickets and will meet them at a pre-arranged point. :scratch:

 

[Pauly Paul]

Dangerous, it would be very interesting if you or someone could get hold of a video camera and record the days proceedings regarding getting into the ground. The video evidence could prove very useful if false accusations are thrown our way.

 

[Dangerous]

I have no money for Video camera but great shout so is there anyone who has a camcorder and get the day on camera outside and inside the ground and video the heavy presence.

 

[Bigbee]

Do you really think the Police are just going to smile and let you film them ? I give you 30 secs before its taken away

 

[Boston Bee]

How can they legally take a person's video camera if they're not personally involved in any disturbance? Surely some mistake.

Do you really think the Police are just going to smile and let you film them ? I give you 30 secs before its taken away

 

[BoroBee]

Ahhh memories of the Miners' Strike back in the '80's
"Maggie, Maggie, Maggie...Out, Out, Out!

 

[Pauly Paul]

Do you really think the Police are just going to smile and let you film them ? I give you 30 secs before its taken away

Well maybe more than one person can take one along. Without it the authorities view of things will always take precedence over ours.

 

[AndyV]

How can they legally take a person's video camera if they're not personally involved in any disturbance? Surely some mistake.

Because they have a common law power to prevent an anticipated breach of the peace, and that is what they are likely to say is the reason for any action they take to stop any person they have reasonable grounds for suspecting has been, is or will be involved in said breach. That doesn't mean that the person is behaving as the police say, but that will be the reason given if it gets to court.( If it gets to court) If you are stopped or have property taken away , they may not do anything else other than prevent you geting to the ground, depending upon your reaction. If you react in such a way as to enable them to state that they feared an attack or threatening or insulting and abusive behaviour, you can be arrested under Sections 4 or 5 of the Public Order Act 1986, If you resist the police or obstruct them you can also be arrested and there are further offences, that if committed at or near Association Football grounds involving assaults or disorder, on conviction are likely to lead to football banning orders for a minimum of three years and 5 years in some cases, as well as a sentence for the offence itself. Do not compare the normal low key Police activity at Griffin Park to the likely policing at St. Mary's .Any large scale disorder that involves Brentford FC fans may also trigger FA action for the Club itself.
Sorry to be a prophet of doom, but this is my day job.

 

[Bigbee]

Because they have a common law power to prevent an anticipated breach of the peace, and that is what they are likely to say is the reason for any action they take to stop any person they have reasonable grounds for suspecting has been, is or will be involved in said breach. That doesn't mean that the person is behaving as the police say, but that will be the reason given if it gets to court.( If it gets to court) If you are stopped or have property taken away , they may not do anything else other than prevent you geting to the ground, depending upon your reaction. If you react in such a way as to enable them to state that they feared an attack or threatening or insulting and abusive behaviour, you can be arrested under Sections 4 or 5 of the Public Order Act 1986, If you resist the police or obstruct them you can also be arrested and there are further offences, that if committed at or near Association Football grounds involving assaults or disorder, on conviction are likely to lead to football banning orders for a minimum of three years and 5 years in some cases, as well as a sentence for the offence itself. Do not compare the normal low key Police activity at Griffin Park to the likely policing at St. Mary's .Any large scale disorder that involves Brentford FC fans may also trigger FA action for the Club itself.
Sorry to be a prophet of doom, but this is my day job.

Andy , I never saw nothing or touched anything ok ?

Surely the threat in your last two sentences is enough for resignations

 

[AndyV]

BigBee, I posted on Monday that RK and JM should go immediately for the inept and disgraceful way that the sale process was decided (or not decided) and subsequent events show that SC should consider his position ( in relation to the sale of tickets in any way as long as sold) and others for their inability to state honestly and clearly what had happened. I agree that if there is such bad publicity and disorder on Saturday that the FA come down hard on Brentford ( and they are unlikely to give us the benefit of any doubt) there is little doubt in my mind on who will be ultimately responsible -- the Board of Brentford FC. It may be academic however as May 1st approaches and the option to purchase looms. Animal Farm may describe how some "fans" believe themselves to be more important than others, unless the discredited Directors resign and the Chairman, we are open to the return of the La Manga Mawler.

 

[Willo]

Do you really think the Police are just going to smile and let you film them ? I give you 30 secs before its taken away

You could use the one on a mobile if it's got the facility