Airdrie Fans Victims Of "Heavy Handed Policing"

Airdrie United fans were victims of heavy handed policing, it has been claimed by a committee member of the supporters’ trust. Many of the estimated 700 Diamonds fans who travelled to Somerset Park for the first leg of the SFL first division play-off final against Ayr United were filmed and photographed by cops.

Some were asked for their personal details, despite the match passing without any crowd disorder. And a huge police presence—including mounted officers—was said to have created an intimidating atmosphere at the match which took place two weeks ago.

Craig Hamilton, an Airdrie United Supporters’ Trust committee member, was at the game and felt the police action was disproportionate.

Hamilton said, “There was a very large police presence at the game and while the match passed by uneventfully all fans, both Ayr and Airdrie, were allowed to leave the stadium at the same time. This could have caused a problem as all away fans have to walk past the home end to return to cars and buses officially parked near the race course."

"As the Airdrie fans including women and young children were leaving the ground we were photographed and videoed. Several fans including a father and daughter were escorted to an area where they were again photographed and asked for personal details. All of this despite there being no incident within the ground. The level of policing seemed like the equivalent of an Old Firm match and it just wasn’t needed.”

Airdrie fans were greeted by a “considerable police presence” when they arrived at Somerset Park. Mounted officers and foot patrols were out in force and supporters were being photographed as they arrived at the ground.

One fan who asked the police why they wanted personal details and photos, was told that the officers were investigating a street battle between rival groups of Partick Thistle and Airdrie fans. Before a league clash between the two sides on May 2 at Partick’s Firhill Stadium, there was a mass brawl in Glasgow’s West End.

A man was left seriously injured and hospitalized, and cops said they were on the hunt for the hooligans involved. Airdrie fans have been involved in trouble at Somerset Park before when around 100 fans invaded the pitch in 2002 and broke a crossbar during a supporters’ protest.

Chief Inspector Andy Sweeney of Ayr Police Office defended his officers handling of the match at Somerset Park two weeks ago.

He said, “When planning for any major football event, public safety is always a prime objective; not only the safety of the supporters attending such events, but the safety of the wider community as a whole. In doing so for the Wednesday night match we took account of the significance of this match for both clubs and their supporters, anticipated attendance, all relevant intelligence and options available in determining how it was policed.

“I am delighted that there were no reports whatsoever of any football-related violence or disorder prior to, during or after the match. This is something which I would like to attribute to the successful policing, the effective stewarding of Somerset Park that evening and the conduct of the supporters. Anyone who was stopped by police would have been given a full explanation as to why they were stopped. I have received no complaints regarding any aspect of policing at the match.”

Source: Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser