Freedom of Information Request Reference No:
I note you seek access to the following information:
Please email me a copy of the police report from the FA Cup final played at
Wembley on May 21st, 2016.
DECISION
I have today decided to disclose some of the requested information.
Some data has been withheld as it is exempt from disclosure and therefore this
response serves as a Refusal Notice under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information
Act 2000 (the Act).
Under Section 40(2) and (3) of the Act – Personal Information - Public Authorities are
able to withhold information where its release would identify any living individual and
breach the principles of the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA). I have applied this
exemption in that the names of the individuals identified by this documentation
constitutes personal data which would, if released, be in breach of the rights
provided by the DPA.
Section 31 Law Enforcement - In order for the exemption provided under Section
31(1) to be engaged in this case, the MPS must show that disclosure under the Act
would, or would be likely to, prejudice law enforcement functions, namely Section
31(1)(a) the prevention and detection of crime and Section 31(1)(b) the
apprehension or prosecution of offenders.
In this case, this exemption has been applied as disclosure of the information
requested would prejudice areas within law enforcement such as the detection of
crime and the apprehension or prosecution of offenders.
REASONS FOR DECISION
The post match debrief contains information that would prejudice law enforcement
functions, such as the prevention and detection of crime and the apprehension or
prosecution of offenders.
DISCLOSURE
Please see attached the information pursuant to your FOIA request.
Information Rights Unit
Protective Marking
Not Protectively Marked
Publication Scheme
No
Title
Relevant to
Pan London Football Assessment
To provide Intelligence regarding the
Policing of Central London in relation to
Football related matters.
Metropolitan Police Service
Version
1
Summary
As purpose
Purpose
Branch and OCU
SC&O22 Football Unit
Author
Warrant
*Section 40 Personal Information*
Pay Number
Date created
17/06/2016
Review
Date
This
assessmentN/A
has an overall evaluation of B21
Crimint
no. note that each
*Section
Law Enforcement*
Please
piece of31
intelligence
used within this
assessment is individually evaluated
SC&O22
METROPOLITAN POLICE SERVICE
CENTRAL FOOTBALL UNIT
POST MATCH DEBRIEF
CRYSTAL PALACE V MANCHESTER UNITED
21/05/2016
This form must be sent to - SCO22 - Post Event Debriefs
This document is the property of SC&O22 Football Unit. It contains sensitive material as defined in the Criminal Procedure and Investigation Act 1996 for
disclosure and is therefore subject to the concept of public interest immunity as well as the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Whenever it is anticipated
that this material may feature in a prosecution or any other judicial proceedings, notification must be given to the originator before any decision is made to
disclose in court proceedings. Its contents must be dealt with in accordance with the conditions or handling instructions shown above. This report and its
contents must be stored in secure conditions appropriate to its protective marking and may not be disclosed or copied to a third party without the prior
consent of the originator.
SC&O22
CENTRAL FOOTBALL UNIT
Competition
Total
Attendance
Away
Attendance
Score
Category
Total
Arrests
Ejections
FA CUP FINAL
86,659
N/A
1-2
B
A - 8 E - 24
Police Commander / Contact
Football Officer
Insp
Resources
Sgt
PC’s
*S40*
*S40*
*S31*
*S31*
*S31*
BOCU
deployed
Unit call signs
Serials deployed to OMEGA
patrols
NO
Delete one
*S31*
Police deployed INSIDE stadium
Delete one
Rationale for deployments
Pre planned deployment
Dynamic deployment
Resources deployed inside stadium
Insp
Sgt
PC’s
*S31*
*S31*
*S31*
PRE MATCH
Pre match saw a steady build up of both sets of fans in and around the Wembley environs with all
public houses very busy. A large group of Holmesdale fanatics (HF) numbering about 80 to 100
made their way to Wembley on the tube network*Section 31 Law enforcement*. A small ‘scuffle’
took place at Baker Street tube station but BTP units quickly restored order. The HF Section 31
Law enforcement* and entered the stadium with no further issues.
There were no real issues with Manchester United entering the stadium. *Section 40 Personal
Information*.
As the teams entered the playing area a number of smoke bombs and thunder flashes were
ignited by Holmesdale Fanatics in blocks 133 and 134.
DURING MATCH
SC&O22
CENTRAL FOOTBALL UNIT
There were a number of ejections from the stadium mainly due to minor disorder related
incidents, either between fans from the same side or Manchester United fans in the Crystal
Palace end. These incidents were dealt with by Wembley stewards.
POST MATCH
Post match phase saw a fairly swift and orderly dispersal from the Stadium and the Wembley
area. A small number of minor confrontations around the concourse area and Olympic Way took
place but these did not need intervention of Police serials.
CENTRAL LONDON
Pre match phase saw a large build up of Crystal Palace supporters including the Holmesdale
Fanatics (HF), initially *Section 31 Law enforcement*. This group then moved off and made
their way to the Covent Garden area where there was in excess of 1000 Crystal Palace fans. The
HF walked as one large group with their ‘banner’ being held in the front by a few fans. The HF got
to Covent Garden and stayed for a time with the hundreds of other Palace supporters who were
already their.
The Palace fans were very loud and a number of thunder flashes and smoke bombs were ignited
as well as beer thrown around. These fans were taking the whole roadway up around the Covent
Garden area and several complaints were made by local businesses and residents. Palace
supporters eventually began to ‘drift’ away without issue and began their onward journeys to
Wembley.
An open top double decker bus which contained Crystal Palace fans *Section 31 Law
enforcement* This bus and its passengers made its way *Section 31 Law enforcement* for a
pre arranged party without issue.
Manchester United fans, including up to 50-60 risk supporters gathered in Kilburn High Road
*Section 31 Law enforcement*. Several other pubs in the Kilburn High Road were busy with
United fans but they caused little issue for Police.
There were no significant issues of note in Central London at during match phase.
Post match saw no significant football related disorder issues in Central London apart from a
small altercation *Section 31 Law enforcement*. This isolated incident was the only issue of
note.
Officer Completing
*Section 31 Law enforcement*
Evaluation
B
2
1
This document is the property of SC&O22 Football Unit. It contains sensitive material as defined in the Criminal Procedure and Investigation Act 1996 for disclosure and
is therefore subject to the concept of public interest immunity as well as the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Whenever it is anticipated that this material may feature in
a prosecution or any other judicial proceedings, notification must be given to the originator before any decision is made to disclose in court proceedings. Its contents must
be dealt with in accordance with the conditions or handling instructions shown above. This report and its contents must be stored in secure conditions appropriate to its
protective marking and may not be disclosed or copied to a third party without the prior consent of the originator.
SC&O22
CENTRAL FOOTBALL UNIT