News

13 October 2008
POLICE CHIEFS HAPPY DAY NOT RUINED BY DRUNKEN FEW

Police officers from all eight forces in Scotland were joined by colleagues from British Transport Police (BTP) on Saturday to ensure that the World Cup qualifying game between Scotland and Norway was not spoiled by fans that might have been drinking excessively and behaving in a disorderly or violent way.

“Although the outcome of the game was disappointing for Scotland’s supporters,” said Chief Superintendent Robin Howe of Strathclyde Police, speaking on behalf of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS), “police forces made sure that the day was not ruined in other respects by a small minority of fans who tried to approach Hampden Park Stadium under the influence of alcohol or who tried to bring alcohol with them.”

A total of 177 vehicles were stopped, including 108 buses and 69 mini-buses in various parts of the country as Scottish police forces mounted a major deterrence operation in conjunction with the BTP.

Seventeen persons were reported for carrying alcohol while enroute to Hampden – including 11 passengers, five drivers and one owner/operator of a minibus.

Among the vehicles stopped was a Ford Transit on the A8 westbound at Coatbridge with the driver charged with causing and permitting three passengers to have alcohol in a vehicle and the three passengers were charged with having possession of alcohol in a vehicle.

At the stadium, Strathclyde police turned away 32 supporters for being too drunk and issued 62 warnings for street drinking and urinating.  One person was arrested for being drunk and attempting to enter the grounds while three were found drunk within the grounds.  Five persons on streets around the grounds were issues anti-social fixed penalty notices.

Over 1100 litres of alcohol were seized from individuals with 578 litres from persons at railway stations by the BTP throughout the country.

“Although Scotland international football fixtures have been generally free of serious disorder or violence, there is growing concern that excessive drinking, sometimes during three or four-hour train or bus journeys to the game, may lead to trouble,” said Mr. Howe.

“Members of the Tartan Army have a tremendous reputation around the world for their friendliness and high spirits. The Scottish Police Service was determined to ensure that this did not deteriorate into rowdiness or violence on Saturday because too much drink has been taken by an irresponsible few.

“We were not out to spoil the event,” explained Chief Superintendent Howe, “but to remind fans that it is against the law to consume alcohol at football matches in Scotland and that attempts to sneak alcohol into football stadia will be dealt with robustly as we have shown.  

“We are pleased that a small minority of people heading for this important game were not allowed to spoil it for others either by carrying alcohol or having too much to drink,” Mr. Howe concluded.