Spurs should pay full costs, says police association (From Haringey Independent)

Spurs should pay full costs, says police association

8:20am Friday 22nd August 2008 in Top Stories By Elizabeth Pears

Taxpayers in Haringey are picking up the shortfall of policing matches at White Hart Lane it was revealed this week.

Over the course of the 2007/08 football season, Tottenham Hotspur racked up a police bill of £540,000 with only £260, 000 covered by the club.

The remainder comes from police budgets — raised through council tax.

The association of chief police officers has now called on Premiership clubs like Tottenham Hotspur to put their hands in their pockets and cover the full amount.

But the Premier League have released a statement saying they already meet the legal requirements by covering the cost of policing the grounds.

A spokesman said: "The law is quite clear – clubs pay for any policing inside the ground and on immediately adjacent property under their control on matchday. Any other provision deemed necessary is covered by the state - it’s what people pay their taxes for.

"This long established principle applies to all individuals and organisations in the UK, from private individuals to shopping centres, pubs and major events, like the Notting Hill Carnival."

Superintendent Wayne Mawson of Haringey Police, said: "We have to allocate a number of resources to ensure public safety is maintained during football matches at White Hart Lane.

"This includes constables, sergeants, inspectors and chief inspectors, police horses, protected carriers and other police vehicles.

"Each football match is risk-assessed based on latest intelligence and appropriate resources are allocated and tasked as a result."

Of these resources 30 per cent comes from Haringey and the rest from the North East London regional branch.

Their main priority is ensuring the huge volume of fans get in and out of the ground safely. Roads in and around White Hart Lane are closed off on matchdays.

Daniel Wynne, chair of the Tottenham Hotspur Trust who represent Spurs fans, said: "The police know well in advance that there will be at least 19 games at White Hart Lane each season. It is not the club’s responsibility to make sure supporters get to and from games safely.

"The cost would effectively fall on fans by driving up the price of tickets and that isn’t fair. They already pay taxes and shouldn’t have to pay twice."