This Cup Of Tea show is fascinating conversation around policing at football matches, how it is changing and how it needs to change. Chief Superintendent Owen West of West Yorkshire Police has been working on the Enable project and wants football policing to become close to general event policing and away from the days gone by.
Using examples from all his time at football matches, Owen talks through his vision for how supporters should be treated both home and away.
Hosted by Gareth Roberts this is just short of 40 minutes for any match going football supporter.
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Direct – Cup Of Tea: Chief Superintendent Owen West
A great follow up to the recent Clifford Stott podcast – a refreshing take on the policing process from someone who clearly understands and gets how to police the away footy fan. It’s clear in an ideal world that communication is the key – not only between the police and the fans but also getting certain police forces to change and as was discussed individual coppers to be de-programmed from their out dated mindset. Thanks Robbo – excellent listen
A really refreshing take on policing footy and especially the away fans. It helps that the fella goes the game and clearly understands what a fan is looking for. He appreciates that the key is communication but the problem he has is to change the outdated thinking and methods that so many of his colleagues (and all to many stewards) still believe in and follow which is a philosophy of coercion and aggression with minimal dialogue. This is an excellent podcast and as with Robbo’s previous chat with Clifford Stott it’s a must listen to. Thanks Robbo
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If all police were as enlightened as Owen West, we would all be better off.
Great this – very insightful. There needs to be more people like Owen West in the Police Force.
Regarding the Sheffield Derby – I was near to Bramall Lane when I drove past 100s of united fans who had returned from the match, they were having a drink and a sing, no problems at all. They blocked a main road, it was a little inconvenient but it was a Sunday and it was quiet. Overall it was sound and the atmosphere was boss as it always is when you beat your rivals.
However, if you read the local media they tell the opposite of the above. You’ll always get one or two idiots in any crowd, not just at football. But the media is quick to throw the hooligan card and the Police lead their headline with the No. of arrests made. It’s not always a true reflection – I had so many discussions with people the following week telling me how bad the Sheffield United fans were but they didn’t witness it for themselves, they had only seen it in the news. United fans shouldn’t have been branded hooligans/yobs like they were by so many because it wasn’t true.
Anyway this podcast and the previous one with Clifford is brilliant. Ta, Robbo (and Neil).