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| 'Report on Police/Safety Meeting 13.06.06' posted by Bernie Kingsley on 11/07/2006 |
Police/Safety Meeting – 13th June 2006
Attendees
Sue Tilling & Dean Smith (THFC Safety); Simon Willmott, Gavin ‘Alf’ Barnett (Tottenham Police); Bob McIver (Haringey Council)
Bernie Kingsley & John Tumbridge (THST)
Apologies were received from Sue Melkman and Daphne Edwards (SSC).
Darren Alexander (THST) was caught in the appalling traffic caused by the heavy rain/flooding that evening and did not make it to the meeting.
Traffic & CPZ issues
As has been reported elsewhere, the CPZ was approved by Haringey Council’s Executive in March, in the face of protests from THST and many supporters and without the support of THFC. However, Enfield Council’s objection, which has not been withdrawn, means the scheme has to go to the GLA for a decision by the mayor’s office and this is currently outstanding. Haringey (and the police) remain ‘hopeful’ they will be able to implement the CPZ early in the new season; THST will continue to oppose it by whatever means possible. Everyone except the council (i.e. club, police) say they agree with us that implementing for the first game before supporters could be made properly aware of it would be a recipe for chaos.
From previous minutes, BK reported that police vehicles continued to be in Paxton Road when people were trying to enter for games. Sgt Willmott said they would amend the pre-match briefing so that no police vehicles could move around the ground during the half hour before kick-off, except in an emergency. BK also raised the inconsistent queuing policy in Paxton Road (across the road or along the pavement, which was less efficient) and Sgt Willmott said this was down to the officers in the area at the time.
We also continue to raise the inconsistency of police controlling traffic at the Brantwood Road/Willoughby Lane junction after games, which is again said to be down to the officers on duty.
The request that the barriers in Love Lane and Tenterden Road be opened for a period after matches to allow traffic to exit without needing to access the High Road had been turned down. Haringey highways rather than the police control these barriers and would only allow them to be opened for emergency service vehicle access.
The police have written again to the rail and bus companies about both their matchday services and inviting them to send reps to these meetings. The bus company say they might put on extra buses but it’s not their policy to ‘stack’ buses in the High Road for post-match use. The rail company haven’t replied at all.
The police have now written to all car park operators along the High Road requesting they hold vehicles back from exiting for 25 minutes after the game finishes (as the club already does) to allow the High Road ‘traffic free zone’ to operate properly. This is something the Trust has been asking about for some time in the interests of allowing supporters to exit the ground onto the High Road more efficiently and safely. Some car parks have questioned this and we wait to see if it will be enforced.
Other Issues
It had been reported that prior to the game at Highbury a senior officer at Islington Police had told THFC to brief the players not to celebrate any goals in a ‘provocative way’ towards the home fans. When T Henry scored he ran half the length of the pitch to ‘celebrate’ towards the Tottenham fans; given he has ‘previous’ for this both at Highbury and WHL the police were asked whether any action was taken against him? Sgt Willmott said he had noticed Henry’s actions but was not aware that he was spoken to at all by police and both he and Sue Tilling were unaware that the reported advice/briefing to THFC players actually took place. ST agreed to check and report back to the Trust. The Trust will write to the Islington borough commander if it is felt appropriate to make representations about Henry’s conduct.
European games – home.
The UEFA Cup draw will take place in mid-August and the first (home) game will be on 14th or 28th September. UEFA ground regulations mean there will be NO alcohol on sale inside the ground, the Jumbotron has be switched off and some seats are likely to be lost for additional press places and advertsining boards.
European games – away.
The police intend to use ‘world cup style’ measures to prevent individuals subject to banning orders from travelling, including look-outs at airports and ports.
Next meeting to be scheduled once season underway, possibly around early UEFA games to discuss initial European experience.
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