Police seek views from football fans on match day security

Football fans are being asked their views on policing at matches in the first survey of its kind.

It follows a recommendation in the Independent Review of Football Policing in Scotland report, which was commissioned last year following a crush outside Celtic Park.

The report, published in March, raised concerns about safety issues which could put fans at risk, such as the selling of more tickets than the stadium capacity, and inconsistencies in the management of safety certificates.

However it found that the operational model for policing football is “certainly fit for purpose”, with some “excellent” examples of good practice.

Police said responses to the survey will contribute to a new “football engagement strategy” and will ensure fans and communities are involved in the way football is policed in the future.

Chief Inspector Campbell Crawford, head of Police Scotland’s national football unit, said: “Getting views directly from supporters is extremely important and a real step forward for us.

“We are keen that people understand that our role at football is to support the event organiser, as well as understanding what people expect from us.

“We are transforming the way we communicate with Scotland’s football supporters and we now need as many of them as possible to take part in the survey. We also want to make sure that the communities who host football matches are involved.”