This is an update on steps taken in the aftermath of the Millwall fixture on September 13th
1. Metropolitan Police Independent Advisory Group
CAST, together with colleagues from other professional London clubs, has a representative on the Metropolitan Police football unit Independent Advisory Group “IAG”. The IAG meets some six time a year with the football unit's senior ranking police officers headed by CI Peter Dearden. The IAG is there to allow supporter representatives to have access to the police to enable them to discuss matters and concerns relating to the policing of London football in general. CAST is represented by treasurer Nigel Kleinfeld.
The concerns of Charlton supporters following the events at the Charlton v Millwall match were tabled by CAST as an agenda item for the October IAG meeting.
The meeting minutes on this subject are as follows:
Charlton v Millwall - high risk fixture
Resourcing included 10 Level 2 PSUs, 15 Inspectors and 41 Sergeants, 249 Constables and 1 staff member. Two arrests were made. No major hostility was observed.
Nigel advised the meeting that the police had made a decision to re-route some 20,000 home fans, requiring them to use an alternative and much longer route. The re-routing included home fans with mobility issues and those with young children.
The chosen route included roads with moving vehicles and the crossing of a level crossing.
This decision had apparently been made for safety reasons to allow away fans to reach Charlton Station first.
He further advised that there was a lack of communication with home fans about the re-routing both before and after the match which resulted in many home fans reporting a chaotic and potentially unsafe egress. Home fans were also unhappy because it seemed as though those intent on creating disorder were being rewarded for their behaviour
CI Dearden advised that, after a full dynamic risk assessment had been carried out by the designated match commander prior to the match, he had implemented the re-routing to avoid disorder. He reiterated that no major hostility had been observed.
On communication. Nigel reiterated home fans concerns. CI Dearden advised that the police had taken this on board and were reviewing their processes to improve this.
On the re-routing of Charlton fans for future high-risk matches. Nigel advised the police that in the view of Charlton fans such a re-routing should never be initiated again. CI Dearden advised that he would be happy for any member of the IAG to contact him in advance of a high-risk fixture to discuss any plans that were being considered. He also said that it was not policy to hold fans in the stadium because it caused more safety concerns than it solved.
CI Dearden advised that after the match Nigel liaised with him regarding issues that arose. The responses to this were consequently shared on the CAST website to update fans. Nigel thanked him for his support.
2. London Assembly
CAST member Richard Hunt wrote to Len Duvall - Chair of the London Assembly and Assembly member for Greenwich and Lewisham. The London Assembly's role is to hold the London Mayor to account, including on policing matters. At the London Assembly Plenary meeting on November 13th Len Duvall asked the Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley about home fans being held back after the Charlton v Millwall match on September 13th and subsequent matches at Crystal Palace and QPR. He asked whether this represented a change in police tactics and, if so, whether
(1) sufficient consultation had taken place about it.
(2) why it was considered to be a better solution than holding back away supporters.
Sir Mark said he was unable to answer the question but undertook to write to Len Duvall after he had made enquiries about it. Both he and Sadiq Khan said that in their experience, if it was thought necessary to hold any fans back, it had always been away fans who were held back.
3. Local MPs
CAST wrote to Greenwich and Woolwich MP Matthew Pennycook and Eltham MP Clive Efford expressing our concerns about the police tactic of re-routing home supporters after the Millwall match.
Dear Matthew / Clive
I'm sure you are aware of the situation that occurred at the 13th September match between Charlton and Millwall at The Valley. The Metropolitan Police took the decision - despite strong opposition by CAFC management - to deny Charlton supporters access to Charlton station via Floyd Road immediately after the game. Instead, they were routed along Harvey Gardens, down Charlton Lane, across the level crossing, along Woolwich Road to the junction with Charlton Church Lane in order to allow time for Millwall supporters, who were directed straight up Floyd Road to the station, to clear the area.
This approach meant that 20,000 people were not only inconvenienced but placed into potentially dangerous overcrowded situations because the police anticipated anti-social behaviour by the 3000 minority. We took the matter up with The Metropolitan Police and their response is here:
We understand that they have taken a similar approach with Millwall supporters at recent fixtures at Crystal Palace and Queens Park Rangers.
It is very likely that Charlton will host Millwall at The Valley again next season and at the moment there is little to give us any confidence that the police will reconsider their approach. CAST plans to work with the club to put pressure on next season's match day commander to consider holding back Millwall supporters instead while home supporters disperse. Through one of our members we are also in contact with the Mayor's Office.
Although the fixture is likely to be at least a year ahead I am writing to you now to ask whether you would support us in this and whether you feel there are ways you could bring your influence to bear on the situation. A similar set of circumstances could potentially arise sooner at a cup match or another match deemed high risk.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Neither MP has responded. It would be helpful if constituents followed up on this. They can be contacted at matthew.pennycook.mp@parliament.uk and clive.efford.mp@parliament.uk
4. Charlton Athletic
CAST have been in ongoing communication with the club since the Millwall match. The club is not happy with the police requirement for home fans to be re-routed after the match while away fans disperse.
In summary, this remains a live issue for us.
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