West Midlands Police Chief Constable issues statement following Westminster probe into Aston Villa v Maccabi Tel Aviv policing

‘Safety has always been our primary concern’ - This was among a number of key points that West Midlands Police Chief Constable today reiterated to the Home Affairs Select Committee (HASC) in relation to policing of the recent Aston Villa v Maccabi Tel Aviv football match.

Chief Constable Craig Guildford and Assistant Chief Constable Mike O’Hara, commander for the match, both responded to a number of questions posed by MPs in London.

Mr Guildford was summoned before MPs to explain claims in the Sunday Times that his force relied on a document from Birmingham’s Safety Advisory Group (SAG), which claimed fans from the Israeli club had thrown members of the public in Amsterdam into a river and that up to 600 of them targeted Muslim communities.

The SAG report classified a fixture between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Aston Villa last month as high risk, with the British police force pointing to alleged violent clashes and hate crime offences as reasons for it not to allow fans from the Israeli club to attend.

But last month, the Sunday Times quoted a police spokesman in the Netherlands as saying the claims were not recognised by the Dutch force.

Speaking after the committee meeting, Chief Constable Guildford, said: “I have today given a full and comprehensive explanation to MPs on the information, intelligence and risk assessment process that took place prior to the football match last month.

“We will continue to respond to follow-up questions raised by the HASC and actively engage with His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary & Fire and Rescue Services’ (HMICFRS) wider work commissioned by the Home Secretary.

“Today provided me with the opportunity to clarify a number of points which have been raised in relation to this event and, most importantly, recognise the impact of this on our local and national Jewish communities.  

“I continue to remain satisfied in the veracity of our key information and intelligence which put public safety at the heart of our decision-making. I openly acknowledged a minor inconsequential mistake within an eight-page briefing document provided to the Safety Advisory Group about who Maccabi last played in the UK. This did not in any way change the risk assessment for the Aston Villa game which was classified as high risk, posing a credible threat to public safety.

“My officers have at all times focused on their core policing responsibilities of maintaining the King’s peace, preventing crime and disorder, and keeping the public safe. Safety has always been our primary concern. The safety of all involved in the entire events, including the fans, our local communities, associated protesters and my officers.

“The commanders deployed were, and continue to be, operationally and occupationally competent, they are very experienced in policing football, protests, and public events.”

'Not taken lightly'

Chief Constable Guildford added: “The recommendation to restrict away fans, taken by the multi-agency SAG, was certainly not taken lightly. It was a necessary tactic with a legitimate aim, absolutely not anti-Semitic, rather a carefully considered, legitimate and necessary measure to ensure public safety.

“I therefore remain satisfied that the policing strategy and operational plan for this match was effective and proportionate. 

“Speaking at HASC today, I was able to explain how since August, when this football match was announced, WMP has engaged with partners, communities and faith groups, constantly assessed threat, harm and risk, and successfully delivered the operational policing for one of the most challenging matches in recent UK history.

“I continue to thank all of our diverse local communities for their patience, engagement, challenge and understanding in addition to all my officers and staff who contributed to keeping people safe throughout the event.”