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Post by seanclevedongas on Oct 3, 2021 13:44:44 GMT
Wasn't it the police that limited the Swindon allocation?
Maybe it was the police that decided how many officers had to attend?
Maybe their actions all afternoon was to try and justify the number of officers on duty (and therefore the massive bill to the club)
I did speak to one copper who said that they had had to deal with violence all afternoon. I was in the area from 12pm and was unaware of any?
Like Tilly said for those with disabilities the barricade after the game would have caused distress and discomfort but for the rest of us a mild inconvenience at most
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Post by Topper Gas on Oct 3, 2021 14:39:21 GMT
I can't understand why the club didn't pre warn fans we wouldn't be able to walk down Filton Ave? Although just walking back up Gloucester Rd and dropping back down on to Filton Ave only added about 5 minutes to my journey home. Not sure I'd waste my time making a complaint. Was it their decision? Do they have any knowledge as the how the Police want to patrol the fans? I doubt it was a club decision but you might have hoped with such a major change taking place then fans might have been warned beforehand. If that's the new norm for these types of games perhaps they could warn us.
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Post by baggins on Oct 3, 2021 14:43:27 GMT
Was it their decision? Do they have any knowledge as the how the Police want to patrol the fans? I doubt it was a club decision but you might have hoped with such a major change taking place then fans might have been warned beforehand. If that's the new norm for these types of games perhaps they could warn us. If it wasn't the Clubs decision, how could they let the fans know?
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Post by curlywurly on Oct 3, 2021 14:55:31 GMT
Wasn't it the police that limited the Swindon allocation? Maybe it was the police that decided how many officers had to attend? Maybe their actions all afternoon was to try and justify the number of officers on duty (and therefore the massive bill to the club) I did speak to one copper who said that they had had to deal with violence all afternoon. I was in the area from 12pm and was unaware of any? Like Tilly said for those with disabilities the barricade after the game would have caused distress and discomfort but for the rest of us a mild inconvenience at most Sounds like there is someone new in charge of policing Rovers games, who hasn't got a scooby doo.
In fairness, previous games against Swindon at the Mem have been relatively light on crowd incident. So really not sure what prompted this response.
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Post by Squiffy on Oct 4, 2021 9:40:00 GMT
Wasn't it the police that limited the Swindon allocation? Maybe it was the police that decided how many officers had to attend? Maybe their actions all afternoon was to try and justify the number of officers on duty (and therefore the massive bill to the club) I did speak to one copper who said that they had had to deal with violence all afternoon. I was in the area from 12pm and was unaware of any? Like Tilly said for those with disabilities the barricade after the game would have caused distress and discomfort but for the rest of us a mild inconvenience at most Sounds like there is someone new in charge of policing Rovers games, who hasn't got a scooby doo.
In fairness, previous games against Swindon at the Mem have been relatively light on crowd incident. So really not sure what prompted this response.
Maybe they secretly monitor Gaschat…just saying! 😂
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Post by curlywurly on Oct 4, 2021 10:20:36 GMT
Sounds like there is someone new in charge of policing Rovers games, who hasn't got a scooby doo.
In fairness, previous games against Swindon at the Mem have been relatively light on crowd incident. So really not sure what prompted this response.
Maybe they secretly monitor Gaschat…just saying! 😂 I'd imagine that they do. I know that there is nervousness in many walks of life post pandemic, but there are a few decisions relating to crowd safety that seem a bit OTT, namely: Swindon allocation, Martin Belsten cheque presentation, Crowd control after the game. All a little odd IMO.
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Post by Dirt Dogg on Oct 4, 2021 16:30:04 GMT
Anyone else in the Royal Oak before the game? We were blocked in by the police so a bus load of Swindon fans could go up Gloucester Road, strange policing.
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Post by shaggy on Oct 13, 2021 19:02:24 GMT
I've had a reply back to my complaint. It doesn't make a lot of sense and they won't share the risk assessment...
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Post by Tilly's Thighs on Oct 13, 2021 21:48:07 GMT
I've had a reply back to my complaint. It doesn't make a lot of sense and they won't share the risk assessment... That sounds about right - well done for trying though.
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Post by peterparker on Oct 20, 2021 11:16:30 GMT
in case anyone is interested I have received a response from The Old Bill
Dear Mr Phillips,
Thank you for your attached complaint dated 4th October 2021.
Firstly I would like to apologise on behalf of Avon and Somerset Constabulary that your recent contact with the Police has resulted in you raising concerns.
My role as a Police Complaints Officer is to receive reports of dissatisfaction and where appropriate, seek to make early contact with you to resolve the issues to your satisfaction. Having reviewed the details of your complaint I anticipate that I will be able to resolve matters for you as quickly and effectively as possible without the lengthy process of carrying out a formal complaint investigation, in accordance with the requirements of the Police Reform Act 2002.
Avon and Somerset Operational Planning Department work with all of our football clubs, our Dedicated Football Officers and the club’s Safety Officer. During the planning phases we review current information and intelligence. This allows us to make an informed risk assessment and determine whether a policing response is necessary.
Due to the pandemic the Constabulary has not had to police many matches at Bristol Rovers in recent times. However having considered behaviour at earlier matches and in particular behaviour displayed by some Swindon supporters a policing response was considered necessary in order to minimise the risk of spontaneous disorder, maintain public safety and support the club in exercising their responsibilities.
The presence of the officers along with the mounted/dog section may have surprised fans who were not used to seeing us in higher numbers. However it was considered necessary and officers were appropriately dress in the circumstances. This is always a balanced approach and on this occasion the officers wore caps with protective headwear stored in Police carriers until post match when it was necessary for them to have their helmets more readily accessible.
Unfortunately a small number of supporters from both Rovers and Swindon clubs were determined to target one another and there were pockets of disorder that they had to respond to. It was also felt appropriate to separate other supporters when leaving the club to minimise groups joining together. At one point there was a group of 100 supporters walking down Gloucester Road who needed to be escorted away.
Despite the club’s effort to minimise any problems some Swindon supporters still decided to travel to the match without a ticket. The police dealt with these individuals by instigating Anti-Social Behaviour legislation.
During the course of the day, three officers were assaulted and arrests were made. Other incidents are being investigated retrospectively in an attempt to identify what other offences were committed and who was responsible.
We also had reports during the match of coin throwing, a flare being lit and one fan was ejected for a pitch incursion.
Given all that had happened a more robust policing response was necessary post match by way of cordons. This allowed the officers to allocate resources appropriately to areas where there was a real risk of disorder and to ensure that members of the public were not caught up in violent incidents. These cordons were kept on for the minimum amount of time whilst keeping an open passage to Gloucester Road and Muller Road at either end with no one being held or prevented from leaving.
The officers on the home exit also facilitated the movement of vulnerable supporters through the sterile area ensuring impact was minimal. Even with this measure in place we had disorder on Trubshaw Close where some home fans used a lane to clash with other supporters.
The police officers worked together with colleagues from BTP to try and facilitate a safe passage away and reduce the risk of further clashes.
We have had a positive response from the club and will continue to work closely with them and provide a proportionate response for other fixtures. There was a clear intent by some supporters to engage in violent disorder and it is our responsibility to respond accordingly and reduce the impact of disorder on those attending the match as well as the wider community.
I hope you feel that this is a satisfactory. If at any point during the process you decide you wish for your complaint to be formally recorded, or at the end of the process you feel your complaint has not been resolved to your satisfaction, your complaint will be formally recorded under Schedule 3 of the Police Reform Act 2002, although the outcome will remain the same but you will receive an opportunity for an independent right of review with regards to the outcome of the complainant and the complaint handling.
Kind regards
Miss A Avery
Police Complaints and Assessment Officer
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Post by curlywurly on Oct 20, 2021 11:46:57 GMT
in case anyone is interested I have received a response from The Old Bill ... Police Complaints and Assessment Officer Really interesting that you got such a detailed response. I was expecting more of a Gene Hunt style "we do what we want" reply, but this is quite specific. It does show the work that the police have to do on a derby match day.
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Post by A Source (aka Angry Badger) on Oct 20, 2021 12:48:29 GMT
I'm being a bit picky on the reply. There are many people who have tried to dustance the word supporter from idiots intent on causing trouble. As someone who is technically vulnerable I'd like to thank the constabulary for referring to me as a supporter as well as the trouble makers. Granted, some supporters do verge on and sometimes cross the line when it comes to stupidity. I'd also hope that any Swindon fans would be disappointed that those travelling without tickets would also be referred to as supporters
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Post by alanrg on Oct 20, 2021 14:28:51 GMT
Noticed no mention in the police report about letting Swindon fans out first standard practice has been for the away following to be held back for a hour regarding high profile games it will be interesting what happens with the Newport match
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Post by bluegas on Oct 20, 2021 14:29:43 GMT
Surprised (unless its in the match day thread) there seems to be no mention of the police stopping the Rovers fans from exiting down Filton Avenue, so they could get the Swindon fans out. Have never experienced anything like that as a home fan. I wonder who's great operational idea that was. Thankfully there was little or no trouble that I saw, but even some of the coppers were telling us to complain on their behalf as they thought it was stupid Cressida Dick. Let's remember she oversaw the operation in which an innocent man was shot dead. And several ballsups since.
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Post by bluegas on Oct 20, 2021 14:37:03 GMT
in case anyone is interested I have received a response from The Old Bill ... Police Complaints and Assessment Officer Really interesting that you got such a detailed response. I was expecting more of a Gene Hunt style "we do what we want" reply, but this is quite specific. It does show the work that the police have to do on a derby match day. Isn't that what it is? In a very verbose, longwinded way it's stating "we were fully justified and we're never wrong." Try the Police and Crime Commissioner and the IOPC - they are just as useless. They are never at fault.
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Post by curlywurly on Oct 20, 2021 17:19:06 GMT
Really interesting that you got such a detailed response. I was expecting more of a Gene Hunt style "we do what we want" reply, but this is quite specific. It does show the work that the police have to do on a derby match day. Isn't that what it is? In a very verbose, longwinded way it's stating "we were fully justified and we're never wrong." Try the Police and Crime Commissioner and the IOPC - they are just as useless. They are never at fault. You have a point.
I just thought it was interesting that they took so much effort in responding.
I remember now, it wasn't Gene Hunt but a West Midlands copper that said "we can do what we want" to me as he was battering Rovers fans at Walsall. That was in the early 80s. How times have changed.
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Post by Topper Gas on Oct 20, 2021 17:31:10 GMT
Noticed no mention in the police report about letting Swindon fans out first standard practice has been for the away following to be held back for a hour regarding high profile games it will be interesting what happens with the Newport match Held back for an hour? Whenever I've been stuck in a queue trying to get out of the car part the away coaches are usually leaving the ground before me, there's no way fans are kept in for an hour.
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Post by wallywalters on Oct 20, 2021 17:50:30 GMT
Noticed no mention in the police report about letting Swindon fans out first standard practice has been for the away following to be held back for a hour regarding high profile games it will be interesting what happens with the Newport match Fans being kept back hasn’t happened For a few years now it’s not a tactic police use anymore it would have to be extreme violence or disorder for any section of fans to be kept back now
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Post by bobbyjones on Oct 20, 2021 17:53:50 GMT
I doubt it was a club decision but you might have hoped with such a major change taking place then fans might have been warned beforehand. If that's the new norm for these types of games perhaps they could warn us. If it wasn't the Clubs decision, how could they let the fans know? Well done Baggins, Mr Right wrong again.
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Post by bobbyjones on Oct 20, 2021 17:55:27 GMT
Noticed no mention in the police report about letting Swindon fans out first standard practice has been for the away following to be held back for a hour regarding high profile games it will be interesting what happens with the Newport match Held back for an hour? Whenever I've been stuck in a queue trying to get out of the car part the away coaches are usually leaving the ground before me, there's no way fans are kept in for an hour. part or park that is the question
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