Bulls singled out by West Mercia Police

There is little doubt that Hereford United have been singled out by West Mercia Police recently. The force were, once again, out in large numbers last week when Tranmere played at Edgar Street.

And whilst Wigan won their recent appeal against Greater Manchester Police over police costs, it is not yet certain that charges for policing around Edgar Street will be lowered or even dropped.

Data released by the Police show that the Bulls have been asked to pay substantially more money for policing than any other sports club in the area.

Figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act reveal that Hereford United has been asked to pay nearly eighteen times as much as near neighbours Shrewsbury Town, who although in a lower division, have higher gates.

Charges to date (not including the Tranmere game):

Hereford United £23,401 plus VAT
Shrewsbury Town £1,356 plus VAT
Worcester Warriors £3,648 plus VAT

The Police say that as the number of matches policed varies for each club and so does the operational requirement for each match, these figures should not be used in comparison with one another. The figures viewed in isolation without proper interpretation could be misleading.

However they don't say what 'proper interpretation' might be.

Although Hereford United are in League One and play teams with generally larger away followings, the difference in the figures between Hereford and Shrewsbury seems untoward. Worcester Warriors attract attendances three times larger than Hereford, and significantly more suppporters than Shrewsbury.

Shrewsbury's figure was for 14 League and Cup fixtures, while Hereford's covers 12 games. Per match, the Bulls paid more than Shrewsbury - on average - for games this season - £1950 a game to £96 a game.

As a comparison, West Mercia Police were also asked about policing costs at two other local venues.

The last three meetings at Hereford Racecourse: Nil (the force say they do not provide a policing service to Hereford Racecourse)

Three Counties Show at Malvern: £1,560 plus VAT.

Finally, West Mercia Police were asked about the costs of policing the 'Sequani' demonstration at Ledbury which occured on Saturday September 6th the day after Hereford United's home game against Swindon which prompted this article. The animal-rights campaigners held the protest outside the Sequani base, and twelve people were arrested. We also asked the police if any of the costs of the operation might be reclaimed from either the owners or those protesting.

This was their reply and explanation:

The total cost of policing the demonstration at Ledbury on Saturday September 6th 2008 was £17,549.36. Please be advised that the total cost has been disclosed on this occasion, however, any requests for further information on this subject may attract exemptions. There are currently no plans to reclaim any of these costs.

Please note that this differs from arrangements for providing policing for special events, including football matches, as these are governed by the 1996 Police Act and a Home Office circular which allows for the provision of such policing and costs’ recovery. This enables forces to police special events without taking officers away from their normal duties.

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