Police and operators to get on same wavelength

The Metropolitan Police are in discussions with the stadium operators London Stadium 185 in a bid to ensure a radio system is put in place to allow officers to police West Ham matches.

A statement from Deputy Assistant Commissioner Peter Terry, Specialist Crime & Operations sent to ClaretandHugh reads: “The stadium operators are responsible for the safety and comfort of their customers and staff. This includes disorderly behaviour that has not reached the level of criminality.

“The Metropolitan Police Service will fulfil its legal responsibilities in relation to dealing with matters of criminality. The MPS is not able to provide Special Policing Services at this time as it would normally, as there is no satisfactory radio system across the ground.”

“This issue was highlighted to the stadium operators in October 2014 and the MPS has been in negotiation with stadium operators regarding the provision of Airwave radio inside the stadium.

“During this time, the MPS had spoken to the stadium operators several times to highlight the consequences of not installing such a system. Until there is comprehensive Airwave radio coverage throughout the ground officers will not be routinely deployed within it under a Special Services agreement. The stadium operators have only very recently agreed to install a satisfactory radio system.”

However, it now seems certain that having agreed to bring the police in, the stadium operators will now ensure that a radio system is deployed to ensure the force can carry out its duties inside and outside the stadium.