Policing bills fall as clubs cut back on officers

FOOTBALL: Clubs in Tayside and Fife are moving towards ‘police-free’ games

Senior football clubs in Tayside and Fife are spending less on stadium policing at home matches – with some not paying out a single penny.

A Courier Freedom of Information investigation revealed the area’s 11 professional or semi-professional sides saw a 20% drop in their enforcement outlay from 2013-14 to 2014-15.

The figures come as many clubs look to move to “police-free” matches, favouring the use of private stewards.

In 2013-14 teams paid Police Scotland a combined £221,219 to keep the peace at home games but that total dropped to £175,313 in 2014-15.

Data for this financial year, up to February 25, appears to show another drop is on the cards with just £100,411 paid out to the force over that period.

The three SPL clubs, Dundee United, Dundee FC and St Johnstone, accounted for £380,358 of the near half-million spend over the combined period from April 1 2013 to February 25 this year.

United’s bill fell by 33.5% over the last two full financial years while Saints’ reduced by almost half.

A United spokesman said: “We continually monitor police and stewarding numbers to match the category of the game and the expected number of spectators in the stadium and adjust accordingly.

“After consultation with Police Scotland we have moved to more policefree games as the conduct of supporters at Tannadice on the whole is very good.

“We have however employed additional stewards to carry out some of the duties that might have previously been allocated to police.”

In contrast to their city neighbours, Dundee FC’s policing charges went up from £38,554 in 2013-14 to £42,149 the following year.

Last year all the Angus clubs – Forfar, Brechin, Arbroath and Montrose – were charged nothing for policing.

This year Dunfermline, Cowdenbeath and East Fife have yet to be charged a penny.

Arbroath chairman John Christison said: “Obviously we have regular meetings with police ahead of games to discuss a policing plan and identify any big games where there could potentially be problems.”

Simon Barrow, Scottish Football Supporters Association chairman, said: “The aim should always be to achieve a safe, welcoming, non-threatening and supporter friendly environment.”