Police admit mistakes at last Boleyn Ground game

The Met police has published a debrief report into its handling of the last game at the Boleyn Ground between West Ham and Manchester United. Hammers fans were demonised in the press following images of broken windows on the Man Utd team coach were flashed all around the world.

The Met Police summarise lessons learnt along with the Safety Advisory Group (SAG) of which it is a part along side Newham Council and British Transport Police. It lists eight recommendations to improve on the following areas in the future:

1. Ensure a secure drop off area for coaches.
2. Plan for access and egress to and from the ground of the team coaches.
3. Better engagement/liaison with supporters and their representatives.
4. Chair of the SAG to consider inviting supporter representation at the SAG meetings.
5. Strategies should be developed to encourage supporters to enter the ground in good time.
6. Ensure direct communication between the control room and the coaches (either with the driver or someone on the coach).
7. Ensure that intelligence from football forums is properly evaluated and not taken at face value.
8. Ensure that clubs remind players about the appropriate use of social media and the impact it can have.

The full report can be read HERE together with a blog written by Amanda Jacks from The Football Supporters Federation (FSF) on the subject HERE