Heavy Handed Policing

[King Carlos]

Any need for the heavy handed policing?

[John@TheFleet]

They need the over-time, it's Xmas in just over 2 months. And let me be the first to wish you a very, merry one!!!!

[King Carlos]

Same to your good self matey...

 

Was refering to filming people and the like, didn't see the need for it.

 

[John@TheFleet]

Didn't see the filming but did feel their overall presence was quite intimidating and frankly, uncalled for. I didn't think Aldershot had that much of a reputation so I cannot really see the justification behind it. I got some choice looks from 2 officers outside the ground after the game when I started walking up the hill chatting to a Shots supporter! Proves how unnecessary they were. And who picks up the tab for all this? The club.

[Graham S]

Bet the residents of Kings Farm, Waterdales & Denton, not to mention Wallis Park wish they could get a turn out like that from the boys in blue when they need it.

[Rotten Johnny Shawcraw]

Yes I'd agree the police would be put to better use elsewhere, in fairness though the ones I saw seemed pleasant enough as did the Shots fans, none seemed to be exactly looking for trouble.

[I.C.@G&NFC]

Aldershot do have a bad reputation, if the press are to be believed. Especially since they've gained promotion to the Conference and especially at home.

 

And talking of policing, nice to see the stewards doing their job last night. Two middle aged 'Shots' supporters had 'strayed' into the home end, behind the goal. After celebrating the second goal they were escorted to more suitable surroundings.

[Andy Y. (G&NFC)]

Obviously you aren't aware of the reputation that Aldershot have been saddled with due to their supporters bad behaviour over the years. While we were in the Ryman we had plenty of problems with them, both home and away. (And I speak from personal expeirience on both counts.) They do have a hooligan element that follow them and this stems right back in time to when they were a League side. I was born and bred not far from Aldershot and its not exactly a choice neighbourhood!!!

 

I believe they have already caused some cause for concern at some grounds this year, although it must be stressed that this is a very big minority of their fans! The Police presence was due to the possibility of problems occurring last night, and you would all be moaning blue murder if acts of hooliganism had happened. As a result of good stewarding and the Police presence we had a trouble free evening where kids were able to wander around the ground (well 3 sides at least!) in a pretty safe environment, What on Earth is wrong with that?

 

I have used the filming of crowds of people where I work and I can only point out that it works brilliantly. If you are a potential trouble maker you dont like being filmed one bit and tend to get out of the way. But remember that its not only the idiots causing trouble that are being targeted, its the ones who organise the stuff from the rear that the Police are after and again I can tell you from personal experience that the real bad lads, look nothing like your stereotypical hooligan, thats why you may have been filmed even if you dont look the troublesome type!

 

So the answer to your original point is, yes it can look intimidating, thats the whole point. But if you have nothing to hide why should you worry!

[John@TheFleet]

Fair comment.

[Jessica]

Just wish someone had told me they were filming, I would have gone for a make-over before the game!!!

[KShep]

Fair enough, the Shots fan in the Plough End wozn causin trouble but u dont celebrate in front of 300 opposition supporters! Tut tut...

[King Carlos]

In fairness, I am aware of Aldershot's reputation. Dunno if anyone else cam across them but a few of their more rowdy element were drinking outside the Plough prior to kick-off. With regard to Aldershot, I can see why the level of policing was as high but any need for them keeping such a close eye on Fleet supporters? Some of their actions towards the end left a lot to be desired.

[Blind Bigot]

Take my word the policing at league level - the one just above the Conference, the League Division 3, has taken a steep up-turn this season in my view.

 

Most of Huddersfields home game this season have seen policing at saturation point at times. Horses, Video Cameras and Snatch Squads cruising for up to three hours before our home games.

 

This is all the more astounding as apart from Cambridge (first match) and York (who's followings numbered under 1,000) - the away following has been in the low hundreds, where as, our home crowd is a 9,000 average so far.

 

OK, so you couldn't be blamed for think it's OUR fans who are the problem but to be totally honest they aren't.

 

In conclusion, With my suspicious mind perhapes, I reckon it's a police overtime scam which is easy to justify. After all, aren't us football fans supposed to be an unruly breed? I've seen whole groups of cops laughing and generally enjoying a nice day out down at the McApline and no doubt getting well paid for pleasure. Don't get me wrong, I've needed their assistance and been glad of it in the past but mostly they are under-employed at our home games.

 

BB

[Andy Y. (G&NFC)]

Nice one BB! I can assure you that its not the 'umble PCs you see at the game that are responsible for any overtime scam! I have nothing to do with the Kent Police and in fact have little time for the locals due to being let down by them a few times over the past couple of years. Nice people but their management stinks of incompetence (In my opinion!!!!)

 

As for the reasons behind taking videos of locals? ........ I honestly don't have a clue except to suggest that they may have been practising the way that they video crowds? All I can do is reassure you that as far as I know, there isn't anything underhand going on and to reitterate my point about the innocent not needing to worry.

 

By the way on the Aldershit forum I have been accused of being "a piece of knob cheese" for suggesting that the Aldershit fans are anything less than angels!....... I'm quite proud of that!!!!

[jc]

Quote:

Andy Y. (G&NFC) said:By the way on the Aldershit forum I have been accused of being "a piece of knob cheese" for suggesting that the Aldershit fans are anything less than angels!....... I'm quite proud of that!!!!

I should have known that the Aldershot-Gravesend love affair was too good to last

[Slartibartfast]

I suppose that because Aldershot bring a good size following with them that the police have to turn out in larger numbers.

I remember the police were videoing everyone at the Dagenham match last season when there was a lot of away supporters and as with Aldershot no trouble.

We would all complain if anything happened and the police weren't there to stop it but it is easy to see why innocent fans get upset when treated like criminals.

The police can't win whatever they do although at the Woking match last season when it looked like there could be a problem the police seemed to know in advance it was going to happen and handled it pretty well.

At least when Aldershot and Dagenham visit we get a good gate and a decent atmosphere if that means putting up with a few extra policeman then its got to be worth it.

[Wobbly Wayne rides again]

Quote:

But a few of their more rowdy element were drinking outside the Plough prior to kick-off.

 

I was in the plough before KO and if that was a rowdy element, I'm a chinaman !

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Rotten Johnny Shawcraw]

I must admit I wasn't aware of Aldershot's bad reputation, though with such a large following there's bound to be a few idiots, the Shots fans I've seen and spoken too have always seemed pleasant enough, and yes high profile police presence may well have detered any trouble before it began, I've no objection to being filmed just as long as my image rights aren't infringed!

 

I'm suprised you say its not a choice neighbourhood, I thought that part of the country was very 'upmarket', still you will know the area better than me.

 

 

Quote:

Andy Y. (G&NFC) said:

Obviously you aren't aware of the reputation that Aldershot have been saddled with due to their supporters bad behaviour over the years. While we were in the Ryman we had plenty of problems with them, both home and away. (And I speak from personal expeirience on both counts.) They do have a hooligan element that follow them and this stems right back in time to when they were a League side. I was born and bred not far from Aldershot and its not exactly a choice neighbourhood!!!

 

I believe they have already caused some cause for concern at some grounds this year, although it must be stressed that this is a very big minority of their fans! The Police presence was due to the possibility of problems occurring last night, and you would all be moaning blue murder if acts of hooliganism had happened. As a result of good stewarding and the Police presence we had a trouble free evening where kids were able to wander around the ground (well 3 sides at least!) in a pretty safe environment, What on Earth is wrong with that?

 

I have used the filming of crowds of people where I work and I can only point out that it works brilliantly. If you are a potential trouble maker you dont like being filmed one bit and tend to get out of the way. But remember that its not only the idiots causing trouble that are being targeted, its the ones who organise the stuff from the rear that the Police are after and again I can tell you from personal experience that the real bad lads, look nothing like your stereotypical hooligan, thats why you may have been filmed even if you dont look the troublesome type!

 

So the answer to your original point is, yes it can look intimidating, thats the whole point. But if you have nothing to hide why should you worry!

[FourFourTwo]

Would have liked to have seen one or two of them directing traffic at the end.

[The Truth]

Quote:

FourFourTwo said:
Would have liked to have seen one or two of them directing traffic at the end.

Would have liked to have seen one or two of them booking D'Sane for speeding.