Police presence in Berwick

[SouthMoroccoStu]

Bit OTT was it not?

Came of the 11:08 train to be greeted by 4 officers in the station, a further 2 outside along with 3/4 riot vans parked across the street.

Also saw the vans driving around the town centre and officers coming in and out of most bars.

They must have heard something or expected issues.

I certainly didn't see any trouble on the way too, from or during the game.

I have no issue with the police but was this not a waste of resources and an over bearing presence can be seen as antagonistic.

[MSK]

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Bit OTT was it not?

Came of the 11:08 train to be greeted by 4 officers in the station, a further 2 outside along with 3/4 riot vans parked across the street.

Also saw the vans driving around the town centre and officers coming in and out of most bars.

They must have heard something or expected issues.

I certainly didn't see any trouble on the way too, from or during the game.

I have no issue with the police but was this not a waste of resources and an over bearing presence can be seen as antagonistic.

Happened a good few years back too, got off a train & were met by Police with dogs ..escorted all the way to the ground, no-one allowed to step off kerb or go to shops ..crazy stuff ..

[WestCoastHibby]

Rebellious Scots to crush....... Just say no though

[Crab apple]

It was the same 3 years ago although I don't remember any escort to the ground. Northumbria and Cumbria plod seem to adopt this practice at railways stations. I've been down at Carlisle the last couple of seasons to see Oldham and there were many plod vans at the station but no trouble.

[truehibernian]

Really don't see the issue.......if there are loads of cops, hey ho.....should feel safer......if no one is causing bother then you just go about your business, no ?

Different if they are being overly officious or uncivil, then of course you have a point......but if folk get peed off simply cos cops are there then deary me IMO. I'm pretty sure they didn't want to be there either

Not dissing you Southmorocco Not a huge fan of Police Glasgow either

[proud_and_green]

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Happened a good few years back too, got off a train & were met by Police with dogs ..escorted all the way to the ground, no-one allowed to step off kerb or go to shops ..crazy stuff ..

They've always been like that. I remember the year the wall collapsed (which may be the same you are talking about) exactly the same, cuffed round the lugs if you stepped off the pavement, herded to the ground and back.

I seem to recall that was in response to rangers rioting there a year or so before in a cup game.

I would never go back to watch football there as an away fan.

[HibeeMcGinn1]

We got the 1005 train from Waverley and there was about 10 police on the platform then 4 or 5 on the train constantly walking up and down the train. When we got to berwick there must have been 5 riot vans in the station car park.

[berwickhibee]

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They've always been like that. I remember the year the wall collapsed (which may be the same you are talking about) exactly the same, cuffed round the lugs if you stepped off the pavement, herded to the ground and back.

I seem to recall that was in response to rangers rioting there a year or so before in a cup game.

I would never go back to watch football there as an away fan.

you are spot on bud, rangers wrecked the town in 1978 in the Scottish cup,so when hibs were down in 1980 for the cup quarter final,the football special trains were met at the station and marched through the town,over the bridge and into shielfield up through a trading estate,all for a 0.0, sign of the times then I suppose.

[Billy Whizz]

Seems to happen more in England. Does anyone remember the heavy police presence when we played at Carlisle a couple of years ago?

[Barney McGrew]

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Seems to happen more in England. Does anyone remember the heavy police presence when we played at Carlisle a couple of years ago?

To be fair that wasn't long after the scrapping in Bolton, and Carlisle are well known for having some 'interesting' supporters.

[Bristolhibby]

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To be fair that wasn't long after the scrapping in Bolton, and Carlisle are well known for having some 'interesting' supporters.

Who "really love" the Scots.

J

[Jones28]

Tbf, they'd have **** all else to do until about 9 pm that evening.

[DarlingtonHibee]

got the 6.45pm train back to Darlo - 6 cops on the train, but at least they let us have a beer

[Bob Box Fish]

There was more police than Berwick fans!

[over the line]

Doesn't sound like a huge police presence tbh and if there was no trouble then everyone's a winner.
Obviously (and thankfully) things arnt anywhere near as bad as they used to be with trouble/hooligans (both in Scotland and England)and if a few van loads of police help to keep it that way, then that's ok with me.

[Jack]

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Seems to happen more in England. Does anyone remember the heavy police presence when we played at Carlisle a couple of years ago?

I was chatting to the police that day. They said it was like a training exercise 'just like your players getting ready for the season we're doing the same' sort of thing.

Did our own police not first use their iron horse thingy at an Easter Road pre season friendly?

Same deal I suspect.

[Zondervan]

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I was chatting to the police that day. They said it was like a training exercise 'just like your players getting ready for the season we're doing the same' sort of thing.

Did our own police not first use their iron horse thingy at an Easter Road pre season friendly?

Same deal I suspect.

That would be the only justification for it in my opinion, but I don't believe it was an exercise. How often do football fans travel in large numbers down the East Coast? If any exercise is being conducted, then surely you would do it when fans are travelling between Edinburgh and Fife/Glasgow as this will be the most frequent route used by football fans this season.

It looks like every train down between 1000 & 1300, and every train back between 1700 & 2200 had at least 2 coppers on it. Add to that their presence at both railway stations on the platforms. PLUS the presence of a private security firm and their staff asking you if your Boots meal-deal bag had any alcohol in it.

What got me was the way they were walking up and down the half-empty carriages, trying to sniff out the odd can of beer as if the latest ISIS cell were on the train with a bag of explosives.

I am all for the police doing their job and keeping people safe, but things like yesterday are a complete waste of resource. Unfortunately, I think it is a sign of things to come and an example of the general contempt Police Scotland and the British Transport Police have for football fans.

Here is an idea. Why don't the Police actually police? Let football fans have a drink and enjoy themselves. If someone is being a dick, or starts behaving badly, then give them a warning or arrest them. That would be too simple, though.

[nomad]

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Rebellious Scots to crush....... Just say no though

No. But its an aye for me. A tad off topic though?

[NAE NOOKIE]

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Seems to happen more in England. Does anyone remember the heavy police presence when we played at Carlisle a couple of years ago?

Aye that was mental. you would have though Millwall were in town

[Dublin07]

I went down on the 9.30 with the kids to make a day of it and there was no police at all. Couldn't believe it when we got to wetherspoons at lunch time and there were 4 riot vans driving about and police in the pub etc. the locals were bemused by it. My wife went down later on the 2 pm train and said there was police all over the train. On the 8.40 going home last night there must have been about 10 guys there were a bit merry and singing etc. east coast were totally over the top with several announcements regarding anti social behaviour and police then waiting on the platform at Waverley. There was dozens of other travellers on the train drinking and having a laugh but staff were not bothered. Football fans get a rough deal which most of the time is not deserved.

[Gerard]

The police have a job to do and at times it is very difficult. The police are a part of our community and policing is done on the basis of consent and respect to the community.

[Bishop Hibee]

Most rowdy behaviour I ever saw on trains was when I used to get the 9.17 from Durham up for games or visit family. Train was often busy with stag/hen parties who'd had a good bevvy for breakfast!

Football fans are too often all tarred with the same hooligan brush

[over the line]

I really don't get it, if all the police is doing is being there, what's the problem? If they were being unnecessarily heavy handed or in your face for no reason, then fair enough complain. I can remember times in the 80's where some police were a bit much to away fans, but its very different now isn't it? Better to have 'too many' and there be no trouble, than have too few and some idiots see it as an opportunity to behave like ***** and give us all a bad name?

[blackpoolhibs]

Police on trains in England is a common thing, and on a Saturday when there is football on they are out in even bigger numbers.


One of our lot who travels up from Lancashire with us to games is a transport policeman, i dont see the poblem.

[DarlingtonHibee]

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The police have a job to do and at times it is very difficult. The police are a part of our community and policing is done on the basis of consent and respect to the community.

G - dont know if you were at the game, but it was well over the top.

I spoke to 3 officers, said they had no bother at all.

Dont forget who pays for this - us.

[Keith_M]

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Police on trains in England is a common thing, and on a Saturday when there is football on they are out in even bigger numbers.


One of our lot who travels up from Lancashire with us to games is a transport policeman, i dont see the problem.

I don't think anybody had a major problem with it, I just think most people were surprised at the number of Police and felt it was all a bit unnecessary. There were only 1,500 or so people at the game and it wasn't exactly a high risk match.


FWIW, I think we suffer partly from the reputation of a small number of our support.

[Gerard]

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G - dont know if you were at the game, but it was well over the top.

I spoke to 3 officers, said they had no bother at all.

Dont forget who pays for this - us.

I suggest you make a complaint if this took place G

[Scouse Hibee]

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G - dont know if you were at the game, but it was well over the top.

I spoke to 3 officers, said they had no bother at all.

Dont forget who pays for this - us.

I wonder if I'll pay more tax this month to cover it!

I wasn't there but I get your point, from the Police point of view though, damned if you do damned if you don't.

[over the line]

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I was chatting to the police that day. They said it was like a training exercise 'just like your players getting ready for the season we're doing the same' sort of thing.

Did our own police not first use their iron horse thingy at an Easter Road pre season friendly?

Same deal I suspect.

Seems reasonable and makes sense really. As long as they arnt practicing using there tazers, pepper spray etc, then its fine with me. :D

[mutley]

Fair enough there were lots of them around Berwick, the guys were just hoovering up some overtime, good on them