Police get new powers to break up crowds at Plymouth Argyle ground
POLICE have been given new powers to disperse mobs at Plymouth Argyle’s football ground during home matches.
Plymouth City Council has given officers the power to disperse crowds at Home Park and its surrounding areas during games so that groups of troublemakers can be broken up before they can confront opposing fans.
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It will be the 13th time that a similar dispersal order has been created at the football ground in a bid to lessen incidents of hooliganism.
The new order was signed under delegated authority by the council’s cabinet member for community services (safer and stronger communities and leisure, culture and sport) Cllr Peter Brookshaw.
It will be in place between 8am and 11.59pm from Saturday August 28 to Saturday January 29, next year.
It will cover Home Park and the surrounding area, bordered by places like Weston Park Road, Hyde Park Road, Mutley Plain, North Hill, Alma Road, Wolseley Road and Weston Park Road.
There have been 12 previous dispersal orders for Home Park since September 2004 and the last one expired on Sunday May 2, as the football season drew to a close.
The council said the orders have mainly been used to ‘diffuse situations before they become troublesome’ — but have also resulted in four arrests for failing to disperse.
Cllr Brookshaw said: “These dispersal powers have been extremely useful in helping the police break up groups of troublemakers who loiter around the ground with the sole intention of confronting opposing fans.
“With early intervention these groups are prevented from growing in size to the point where they can become extremely aggressive and volatile, spoiling what should be an enjoyable family day out for the majority of law abiding match goers.”
The dispersal order will be used by the police as part of a package of measures designed to curb anti-social behaviour and public disorder on match days.
One of the measures sees officers from the Football Intelligence Unit using camcorders to record incidents and identify troublemakers. Another sees the issue of civil banning orders preventing troublemakers from entering a designated area around Central Park during home games.
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by C, Plymouth
Monday, July 19 2010, 12:12AM
“Doesn't it make you laugh? Muslims can march and riot in London and nothing is said, a few high spirited football fans in Plymouth get a Police presense!!!”
by Banza! Baz!, Plymouth
Sunday, July 18 2010, 9:56PM
“What crowds?????????? another made up story by a cheep excuse of a newspaper... it really is getting boring now E.H. yaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwnnnn!!”
by GOM, Plymouth
Sunday, July 18 2010, 8:34PM
“Let's be realistic here. Football hooliganism and violence is a thing of the past. This is paranoia in the extreme and the authorities (police) trying to cause problems that don't already exist. Can they not just try to solve some crime, PLEASE?”
by RS, lyndhurst block15
Sunday, July 18 2010, 7:22PM
“They've got this wrong... they should be using the police to round people up and bring them to the ground”
by Big Rich, The Muff
Sunday, July 18 2010, 7:15PM
“I see the police are on the ball as usual, the season starts on august 5th and the order does not start until the 28th august!!! Well at least we have 3 weeks to hang around in groups waiting to cause trouble and the police cannot disperse......what a bunch of clowns, much like the argyle board!!!
P.s. Capaldi we don't want you back you judas, the grass was not greener on the other side”
by Rob, Plymouth
Sunday, July 18 2010, 3:03PM
“Rich, that's the funniest thing I have read in years! :-)”
by Rich, Plym
Sunday, July 18 2010, 2:20PM
“Albion don't need that sort of attention because the fans aren't mindless idiots who actively organise violence as a past time. The majority of fans are normal people but it cannot be denied that there is an element of hooligans that is long established, over 100 years, they even have named groups, The Central Element, The Urchins, The Suicide Squad etc. The concept of organised group on group violence doesn't bother me, it's the risk to the general population that does. Indeed, we could get the nutters into a venue and charge to watch the ensuing battle. More entertaining than the football! The true hooligans are not a threat to the public as they are only interested in opposing firms. Add alcohol to groups of young men in any confined space and unfortunately violence is inevitable, this is when the Police should have all powers to control this pathetic, chav minority who threaten the innocent citizens who just want to enjoy watching their team.”
by Stan., Hartley.
Sunday, July 18 2010, 11:41AM
“Four arrests in six years. Hardly a breakdown of law and order, or civil dis-obedience in the streets! Is Plymouth Albion targeted in such a way? After all, it will be similar supporter attendances.”
by David, St Austell
Sunday, July 18 2010, 10:18AM
“Why report this as if it's something new? Police have always had the power to deal with trouble whether at a football groung or elsewhere.. Like Dave said they've got to find a crowd first.”
by Dave, Lost
Sunday, July 18 2010, 9:14AM
“You need to find a crowd at argyle first, the board have been hoping to see a crowd for the last few seasons, so what hope have the police got of finding one.”