(25/04/06)

I met with the police officers who are attached to Millwall for both home and away games, the meeting at Lewisham Police Station was originally planned as just an introduction, but I used it to discuss a couple of issues that fans have brought up, the Waterloo Incident/South Bermondsey station after home games/block 19.

The police started off by praising the MSC and their input both now and in the past, Bev Fen, Jim Webb, Paul Burkmar and Mick Thurbin were all mentioned as they had help build up a good relationship between the MSC and the police.

I asked why the level of policing at times was very high, it was explained that the police use all intelligence they get and make a decision game-by-game, intelligence comes from several areas including the police force of teams travelling to Millwall. I was reminded that there were more Police Free games (only Lewisham Football Officers inside the stadium) this season than ever before. If we can get to the point when there is limited police in the ground and the police used are "regulars" I think it can only improve things.

The officers I met both seemed keen to build a relationship. My personal view is there needs to be a channel into the police so issues like the Waterloo one can be discussed.

Waterloo

There were a group of Millwall (50-60) who travelled by train who caused some problems in a local pub and threatened "scarved" fans on the way to the game, when they arrived they abused the kiosk staff inside the ground therefore the kiosks were shut at half time, the kiosks shutters were damaged as they started kicking them. The police called through to Waterloo British Transport police and forewarned them of the fans who would come through. I explained that I had several letters from "normal" fans complaining of "heavy handedness" by the police at Waterloo station, the police were aware and complaints have been received from several fans, therefore a review of the incident is underway, the police will keep me informed as to how it goes, they admitted they are not perfect and different police forces have different ways of dealing with things, we all agreed that the enquiry needed to find out why "normal" fans were subject to bad treatment. I will let you all know when a get anything back from the police regards this. Anyone who was there who feels strong enough about it please complain to the police.

South Bermondsey

I have been asked why Millwall fans are sometimes kept waiting while the away fans get shipped out straight away. The decision as to who gets kept back is made on an ad hoc basis, game by game taking into account amongst other things the "mood" in the ground, although as a general rule the intention has always been to allow home fans to leave first, but there will be times when away fans must be allowed to leave first. Certain away fans caused damaged to the walkway, fans from mainly from block 19 have also attacked away fans with coins near the walkway all this has to be taken into account on a game by game basis when deciding who gets put on the platform first, some times if the away fans are let out last any Millwall fans coming late will be held back, all of this is done to stop any trouble.

Block 19

I have been asked why the end section nearest the away end has been closed off, there have been numerous coin throwing incidents by both home and away fans, the closing of this section should to stop this, also after several games since December the police have had major problems with fans mainly from block 19 when they leave the stadium, all of this adds to the reasons for a high police presence that we can ill afford both financially and if we are to attract new fans.