Wrexham Evening Leader

Huge Police op for big derby match
By Dan Shires, Evening Leader

06/12/05

Police and StewardsSCORES of police and licensees will support a football match operation to ensure hooligans do not foul up the day for others.

Local rivals Wrexham and Chester go head-to-head at noon, on Wednesday, December 28, a time that has angered many supporters because it is a working day.

Now the decision has been taken, for safety reasons, police say they want to reassuring fans, shoppers and visitors that they will be working around the clock on match day to ensure it passes without trouble.

Matches between the two teams have in the past been marred by outbreaks of violence both around the stadiums and further afield. Much of it has been alcohol-fuelled and new tactics are being adopted to ensure history isn't repeated.

Insp Geoff Williams, of Chester Police, said: "We have asked all pubs and bars to refrain from selling alcohol until noon. We've received overwhelming support for this and many shops and supermarkets are also refusing to sell beer and spirits until lunchtime.

"We know from past incidents that the handful of hooligans who cause trouble tend to spend a few hours in a pub or in a group drinking excessive amounts of alcohol before going to the match.

"We want to put a stop to this, and I'm pleased so many licensees are supporting us. We don't want to spoil people's fun. We just know from experience that heavy alcohol consumption is always a factor when violent disorder occurs.

"We want to make sure everyone in the city on match day is safe, and I'm confident reducing the opportunity for alcohol consumption, combined with a heavy police presence, is definitely the way to achieve that."

Officers will be out in force in and around the city and the Saunders Honda Stadium, in Bumpers Lane. Anyone caught using violent or threatening behaviour will be dealt with "firmly and fairly".

Undercover

"We are extremely well prepared. On match day, the officers out on the streets will not be the only ones watching over things. We've got support from CCTV and undercover officers. We've also got information relating to the planned movements of supporters which we'll be putting to good use.

"The message to hooligans is simple - stay away. Violent and anti-social behaviour is not welcome, nor will it be tolerated.

"True fans have a right to enjoy the match without the worry of fights breaking out and we'll do everything in our power to make sure the safety of others is not put at risk."

Wrexham Supporters' Trust representative Bruce Clapton said he did not feel that alcohol being sold to fans before the match kick-off would be a problem.

He said: "I don't think there is an issue selling alcohol to real fans. They are generally responsible, and I can understand the police's point of view in wanting to stop any potential trouble but nowadays hooligans are organised and meet away from the football ground anyway.

"We're still unhappy that the match is taking place that day, as even though it is over the Christmas period, it is a working day and many fans will not be able to attend.

"It is also an issue for Chester as a lot of their season ticket holders will be unable to go even though they have already paid for their ticket and the club can't reassign their seats to other supporters."

Officers from all across the Western Area, the Force's Area Support Group, which is specially trained in dealing with large crowds, and North Wales Police's specialist support unit will patrol the city on match day.

Offenders who display bad behaviour can expect to be charged and put before a court, where maximum sanctions will be sought and every effort will be made to secure a football banning order.

Wrexham fan James Sherwood was unhappy with the police's decision.

He said: "I've been a supporter as long as I can remember and ever since I've been old enough to have a quiet drink before the match I have, but I've never been a hooligan and never caused trouble at a game.

"If yobs want to have fights before or after a match they'll find a way, and if they really want to buy drink for before a game they'll just buy it the day before. The match shouldn't even be going on that time because it's a working day."