Anyone know why this was so much tighter than other comparable home games this season? Bag searches inside the ground, police on horses outside when there wasn't a hint of any conflict between the fans?
The police horses don't mean much. The police like to use football matches to give the horses experience and exercise, even when they are not needed. It also gives the street cleaners something to do afterwards . . .
Add to this the "unprecedented system failure" of the air traffic control system yesterday, and cops with machine guns in the Trafalgar Square area on Thursday night.
I had wondered if it was because Millwall had the afternoon free after playing on Friday evening? It certainly seemed out of proportion to the opposition, who were of Lower West stand levels of intimidation :-)
The police horses don't mean much. The police like to use football matches to give the horses experience and exercise, even when they are not needed. It also gives the street cleaners something to do afterwards . . .
Don't we get charged by the police, so that if they up their presence, it costs us more?
Add to this the "unprecedented system failure" of the air traffic control system yesterday, and cops with machine guns in the Trafalgar Square area on Thursday night.
Sounds like UK on high alert as HartleyPete says.
UK is on a high state of alert. The terrorist threat level is currently at 'Severe', the 4th highest out of five, defining an attack is highly likely.
Sadly, London + events attracting large (relatively!) crowds are an attractive target.
I had wondered if it was because Millwall had the afternoon free after playing on Friday evening? It certainly seemed out of proportion to the opposition, who were of Lower West stand levels of intimidation :-)
The police horses don't mean much. The police like to use football matches to give the horses experience and exercise, even when they are not needed. It also gives the street cleaners something to do afterwards . . .
Don't we get charged by the police, so that if they up their presence, it costs us more?
Traditionally the club gets charged for police inside the ground. If Charlton add gratuitous fixtures - friendlies - the police are able to make full cost recovery, which is the main reason we never play teams that would bring significant support.
So no, Charlton wouldn't pay for the cavalry as far as I'm aware. Unless they are called into the stadium, presumably. I'm sure the club pays - through the various planning agreements - to clear up what they leave behind, though!
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Sounds like UK on high alert as HartleyPete says.
I'd guess the bag searches were to do with the idiot throwing the smoke bomb.
But it might just have been a routine test day.
yuk.
Sadly, London + events attracting large (relatively!) crowds are an attractive target.
I know us Addicks are a decent, law-abiding bunch but surprising to my mind.
So no, Charlton wouldn't pay for the cavalry as far as I'm aware. Unless they are called into the stadium, presumably. I'm sure the club pays - through the various planning agreements - to clear up what they leave behind, though!