England Supporters Club

Euro 2016 forum: policing and security

Posted by Team England at 09:02 on Wednesday 13 April 2016

Report of London England Supporters Club Euro 2016 Policing and Security Forum By Simon Harris

The dreadful events in Paris last year, and more recently in Brussels, have highlighted security and safety issues at Euro 2016. This Forum invited speakers directly involved in managing security from England’s, as well as the Welsh and Northern Irish, supporters stand point.

All the speakers stressed that France is already clearly under a tight security regime with many more armed police and military in evidence. This is unlikely to be relaxed. So, although every effort is being made to ensure that the Euros will be ‘fun’ - a more tense environment than at previous tournaments can be expected.

Chief Superintendent Steve Graham, in charge of uniformed GB police at Euro 2016, explained that a great deal of effort has already gone in to working with the French police. He has explained England’s ‘fan culture’ to them: that singing is not necessarily aggressive and that our flags do need to be respected. However, his role is only advisory. He cannot guarantee an ‘over reaction’ from local security. So please be careful if you are travelling to the Euros this summer.

Andy Robinson, Assistant Director UK Football Policing Unit, talked through the levels of security that can be expected at the ground. There will be 100% bag and body searches. So get to the ground early. It will be hot so use sun lotion before arrival as it may be confiscated on the way in. As at most tournaments there will not be any segregation on the concourse.

The police are well aware of the large numbers of Welsh and English that will go to Lens - simply ‘to be there’. They will be offering advice to ticketless supporters. It was suggested that the Clubs could assist by offering advice in their programmes and on their web sites, etc. Andy pointed out that Lens is very small with few bars - and that on street drinking may well be banned. So if you do not have a ticket Lille maybe the best place to head for.

Andy explained that there will be very large fan zones which will not be segregated and where alcohol will be sold - no alcohol will be available at the stadiums. There will be a fan zone on the beach at Marseilles; though it is likely to be heavily policed after the events of 1998. There will be a fan zone with a 10k capacity in Lille. Furthermore, St Etienne will be establishing ‘fan villages’ and is going to considerable lengths to ensure that fans are made welcome and kept entertained. The SCNF timetable has now been released so if you are travelling by train the latest information should be available.

Tony Conniford is FA Head of Team Security and has worked on security over 9 tournaments. Encouragingly he mentioned that the team is coming together very well and has one of the best ‘team atmospheres’ that he has witnessed.

He advised that the threat of terrorism will be ever present - and the Fan Zones (let alone bars, restaurants and cafes) will be vulnerable. But the security forces will be out in force. He is confident that the French are on top of the threats posed.

The police have been asked to review several incidents that took place in Berlin, away from the game. They are currently studying recordings of where bottles were thrown and bars smashed up, etc and will be looking to start legal proceedings to ensure that those involved will not be able to travel to France. Tony made it clear that the French police will not tolerate this behaviour and are likely to come down very hard - so he advised that if ‘trouble’ looks like starting then walk away.

Martin Redmond from the Consular Assistance Dept FCO recommended that everyone travelling should sign up to the FCO’s travel advice for France - check their website here. He distributed cards ‘Be On the Ball’ which explain how the embassy can assist and provided the emergency phone numbers. It is strongly recommended that everyone travelling takes a EHIC health insurance card - this will ensure that as a member of the EU you will benefit from the same government health care available to French nationals. He also suggested that we carry a copy (laminated) of our passports - keeping the original in the hotel safe.

Finally a question was asked about how we can vote in the EU Referendum. Although postal votes are available it is possible that the postal voting cards will arrive after we have left. It was recommend that you contact your local electoral registration office to ensure that you can exercise your right to vote.

The next Forum will be on Thursday 5 May - at the New Moon in Leadenhall Market, Gracechurch Street. The theme will be ‘Euro 2016 – Travel and Tourism’ with Kevin Miles of the Fans’ Embassy and John Sykes from the British Embassy in Paris responsible for Euro 2016 there.