The head of the Metropolitan Police has told the BBC that football clubs should contribute towards the £70 million cost to police their matches. Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, head of the nation’s biggest police force, asked why organisers of events that need police support do not pay for it, adding that there needs to be “more of a polluter pays approach.”
In addition, he called for the creation of 12 to 15 bigger police forces as part of his plans for radical reforms, telling the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme that the current model of 43 forces in England and Wales should be reduced to deal with higher demand and overstretched budgets.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced a 2.3% annual funding increase for policing throughout England and Wales in last month’s Spending Review, but many police forces have said that it falls “far short.” Reforms, says Sir Mark, would allow forces to “make the best use of the money we’ve got.”
Among the concerns, the commissioner also quoted the £70 million cost to police football in the UK, most of which is spent on England’s Premier League matches. “Why isn’t the organiser paying for that, rather than local communities who lose their resources to go to football matches?” he said.
Making football clubs contribute towards he cost had been previously suggested but was criticised by sports bodies who say it could threaten events and lead to an increase in ticket prices.
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