Swans to get £48k police bill for Cardiff derby
SWANSEA City are to be handed a whopping £48,000 bill for policing Saturday's match against rivals Cardiff.
The total was agreed after weeks of negotiations that at one stage threatened to end with away fans being barred from the clash.
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Police hold back fans as Cardiff fan buses enter the Liberty Stadium last September
There will be more than 400 officers involved in keeping the peace at the derby, though police won't give an exact number of boots on the ground for operation reasons.
However, Swansea's senior policeman has confirmed there will be fewer officers on duty than there were last year.
Chief Superintendent Mark Mathias said: "I can confirm there will be in excess of 400 officers involved in policing the match — though for tactical reason I cannot go into specific details about the resources being deployed.
"However, I can confirm that the number of officers will be less than used last season.
"There will be fewer officers inside the ground because there will be more stewards. There will also be fewer officers deployed outside the stadium — this is as a result of lessons we have learned from previous derbies, and the tactics we will be using."
Despite its lunchtime kick-off, the match between the old enemies is a sell-out, with Cardiff being given an allocation of 1,800 tickets.
Violence flared when the clubs met at the Liberty last year as a minority of Swansea fans threw stones, bottles and pieces of wood at officers after the game.
Some Cardiff fans ripped-up seats at the ground.
The agreement on the cost of policing Saturday's match comes as the club and South Wales Police continue to haggle over the cost of policing this season. The police announced in February there would be increases in the amount they charged — in line with nationwide guidelines — but the two sides have so far failed to reach a deal, and temporary charges are currently in place.
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As part of policing the match at the Liberty Mr Mathias said an inspector had been appointed to deal with community issues around the ground, including parking.
He warned that illegally parked cars would be towed away — and their owners left with £200 bills to get them back.
He said: "I would advise anyone intending to go to the match to use the park and ride facility — if they do drive, then only park legally."
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9 Comments
by bruiser, neath
Thursday, November 05 2009, 8:51PM
“it's nice to hear that local council taxpayers are not ' footing' the bill and no to brianmorris' idea of private forces policing any event it smells of the old fascist regimes of Mosley & co”
by david, australia
Thursday, November 05 2009, 6:53PM
“why do you have so much trouble at a soccer match with the both teams being welsh .I though us welsh were proud people the one,s that start it must be from parts of the country .”
by debbie davies, swansea
Thursday, November 05 2009, 5:12PM
“round up the cage fighters ,im sure they will do a great job for less fee.lol”
by Brian Morris, Neath Port Talbot
Thursday, November 05 2009, 4:30PM
“"And will the WRU pay for the massive police bill in Cardiff on Saturday?
Steve, Swansea"
To answer your question, I have just checked with the WRU and the answer is YES they do pay for the Police attendance, however they also have hundreds of stewards - paid and volunteers who also assist .”
by Brian Morris, Neath Port Talbot
Thursday, November 05 2009, 4:26PM
“Question I have is "are the Police Service that we now have and are being charged a huge sum for actually fit for purpose?" I would assume that if the Swans are being charged this huge amount of money they must have some sort of legal contract with the Police! Why don't the Swans put out the "policing of their football matches out to competitive tendering" and that way you will hopefully get the best for your money. There are dozens of security firms out there that have recently being given increased powers - have them to bid for the business - why should our shadow of a Police "Force" get the business?”
by Luke, swansea
Thursday, November 05 2009, 1:03PM
“i think you'll find "Steve, Swansea" that the need for Police at any Rugby match is minimal and no-where needed as much as football matches as Rugby fans have a lot more respect for the venues and the local authorities. Please don't confuse Rugby fans with Football Fans as it is disrespectful to the Rugby Fans”
by swansea drinker, ssea
Thursday, November 05 2009, 12:54PM
“while these 400 police are out in swansea on saturday maybe they could go down to wind street and round up all the beggars that hassle all the drinkers every weekend.”
by Steve, Swansea
Thursday, November 05 2009, 12:34PM
“And will the WRU pay for the massive police bill in Cardiff on Saturday?”
by raynor94, planetswans
Thursday, November 05 2009, 11:12AM
“about time to, fed up of inconsiderate fans thinking they can park where they like”