Chief Constable apologises for Wolves game policing
Staffordshire Police Chief Constable Mike Cunningham has apologised for a series of ‘organisational’ blunders during Port Vale’s match against Wolves.
I’m really sorry if people on the day were frightened or scared or intimidated, that’s not what we want…
An internal police report has made nine recommendations for future policing operations following a review of the match-day trouble in August. Meanwhile, police investigations are continuing into complaints by seven Vale fans who claimed they were bitten by police dogs.
On Friday, Chief Constable Cunningham apologised to fans caught up in the clashes saying: “Unfortunately there were people with a criminal intent, set on causing trouble.
“But I would like to say that I’m really sorry if people on the day were frightened or scared or intimidated, that’s not what we want. We are there to work with the football club to help make people’s Saturday afternoons a fun, family-friendly, happy experience.
“It went wrong and I apologise for the part we played where the organisation of the day failed.
“I wanted to make this report public because it was a big deal for the community, particularly those in Burslem, and they deserve to know what went wrong, what went well and what areas need improving. Lessons have been learned and I think we proved that with the excellent police operation at the Coventry match in September.”
The Vale response
Vale have issued a statement on the police report which can be read here