Top officer put in charge of review of Scottish football match policing
The UK’S top football policing officer will carry out an independent review of how matches in Scotland are policed.
Police Scotland has asked Deputy Chief Constable Mark Roberts – the National Police Chiefs’ Council football lead – to carry out the review that will cover operational planning for matches, intelligence gathering and resource deployment.
The review comes just weeks after fans were injured in a crush at the first Old Firm game of the season.
Five people needed medical treatment following the inci-
dent at Parkhead as supporters tried to get into the stadium before the first Celtic versus Rangers game of the season on 2 September.
Will Kerr, Police Scotland’s Deputy Chief Constable for local policing, said: “This review is not about a particular incident or match, but about the policing of football in a wider sense.
“Police Scotland has an enviable reputation around how it polices large events, including sporting events such as the Ryder Cup and Commonwealth Games.
“It is important, however, for a learning organisation such as Police Scotland to reflect on areas where we may be able to improve our procedures and learn from good practice elsewhere.
“I am very grateful that DCC Roberts has agreed to carry out this important review.”