Leeds
United Football Club have successfully challenged charges from West Yorkshire Police
for policing any areas not “owned, leased or controlled’” by the club. The
Police force had charged te club based on a ‘footprint’ on match days which
included public highways, car parks abd the bus station near to Elland Road
stadium, but in the High Court a reluctant Mr Justice Eady, noting the cost to
the public purse from his decision, said that nothing in the law allowed the
police to charge for a conveniently designated footprint. He added “I
appreciate that my interpretation of the law is unfortunate not only for West
Yorkshire Police but also for the public purse” but ordered the police to repay
Leeds an estimated £1 million it had paid over the last three years concluding that the services rendered fell within the
normal constabulary duty to keep the peace saying “More generally, it seems
wrong to discount the majority of well-behaved fans who come to Elland Road,
whether club supporters or visitors, all of whom retain their status as members
of the public. In that capacity, they too are entitled to expect police
protection”. Other clubs are also now expected to apply for refunds
after other police forces charged for their services based on ACPO (Association
of Chief Police Officers) guidance. ACPO said they were seeking legal guidance
and reviewing the information provided by the ruling.Saturday, 18 August 2012
Leeds police victory good news for festival organisers
Leeds
United Football Club have successfully challenged charges from West Yorkshire Police
for policing any areas not “owned, leased or controlled’” by the club. The
Police force had charged te club based on a ‘footprint’ on match days which
included public highways, car parks abd the bus station near to Elland Road
stadium, but in the High Court a reluctant Mr Justice Eady, noting the cost to
the public purse from his decision, said that nothing in the law allowed the
police to charge for a conveniently designated footprint. He added “I
appreciate that my interpretation of the law is unfortunate not only for West
Yorkshire Police but also for the public purse” but ordered the police to repay
Leeds an estimated £1 million it had paid over the last three years concluding that the services rendered fell within the
normal constabulary duty to keep the peace saying “More generally, it seems
wrong to discount the majority of well-behaved fans who come to Elland Road,
whether club supporters or visitors, all of whom retain their status as members
of the public. In that capacity, they too are entitled to expect police
protection”. Other clubs are also now expected to apply for refunds
after other police forces charged for their services based on ACPO (Association
of Chief Police Officers) guidance. ACPO said they were seeking legal guidance
and reviewing the information provided by the ruling.
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