West Midlands top cop vows to rebuild police confidence in wake of decision to ban Israeli football fans from Birmingham

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster and acting chief constable Scott Green were grilled over Operation Parkmill – the policing of the Aston Villa and Maccabi Tel Aviv Europa League match in November.

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Former Chief Constable Craig Guildford resigned as a result of the fallout over the decision taken by Birmingham’s Safety Advisory Group.

Mr Guildford admitted misleading MPs when he previously denied using artificial intelligence when referencing a game between Maccabi and West Ham United, which featured in police advice to the Safety Advisory Group.

But he has now apologised and admitted AI was used and the West Ham match hadn’t actually taken place.

At a West Midlands Police and Crime Panel meeting on Monday (February 2), Mr Foster was asked if he had confidence in the acting leadership of the force.

He was also asked how he planned to rebuild confidence in his own office as a result of the decision.

On January 27, an Accountability and Governance Board meeting saw the issue discussed for more than two and a half hours.

At that meeting, they announced Operation Strive had been launched to probe every hate crime, while anti-Semitism training will be carried out for all staff.

Panel chair Councillor Suky Samra said: “Notwithstanding the vital services our police officers, PSCOs and police volunteers provide to the communities, trust and confidence has also been eroded in your office, Commissioner.

“How are you personally going to rebuild that confidence?”

Mr Foster said: “I’m absolutely focused on making sure that I am and will continue to hold West Midlands Police to account arising out of the consequences following Operation Parkmill.

“I’ve been holding them to account over that since the very day after the decision of the Birmingham City Council safety advisory group on the October 16.

“On the Friday, Oct 17, the very next day after the decision I immediately requested a review of that decision.

“I immediately requested that the group convene a special (meeting) in order to reconsider that decision.

“I am committed to ensuring that trust and confidence is rebuilt and part of that is holding West Midlands Police to account to implement Operation Strive.

“Part of that is working with communities and people within the West Midlands including the Jewish community, working with the Panel and making sure I’m absolutely focused on implementing my crime plan and making sure the aims and objectives that are set out in that plan.”

He added: “Trust and confidence are essential because without them it is not possible to ensure policing is with the consent of the people or to have an effective and efficient police force.”

He said he was confident Acting Chief Constable Scott and his leadership team because of their experience, operational policing performance improvements delivered and the actions they have already taken to address the event.