Police out in force to keep public safe

11:40am Wednesday 7th May 2008

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I was sorry to read the letter (Big Police Turn Out For Football Match', May 1) from your correspondent, Disgruntled' - not least because he or she has got it completely wrong!

As match commander for the Bury FC - v - Rochdale fixture I am pleased to inform your readers that the presence of police officers and police horses in Bury town centre was to keep Disgruntled' safe, as well as all the other visitors to Bury, in the build up to Bury FC's biggest match of the season, against local rivals, Rochdale.

Acting on experience, information and intelligence - including the threat of pre-planned disorder between the rival fans - police officers were out in force patrolling the licensed premises known to be used by football fans (most of whom wanted nothing more than a social drink, but some of whom wanted nothing less than a large-scale fight). Rival groups of fans were in the town from 11 o'clock onwards - four hours before the scheduled kick-off; and it was these fans that were being monitored' - not the football on the telly! As far as the use of overtime is concerned (much of which is actually paid for by the football club) it is used precisely because we do not want to reduce the resources dedicated to policing Bury and its neighbourhoods, every day of the week.

I can tell Disgruntled' that the officers engaged on the football operation were kept extremely busy, not only at Gigg Lane itself, but in the town-centre before and after the game, and it is thanks to their efforts that no major disorder occurred and that no one was hurt. I'm proud of them - and I hope, on reflection, that Disgruntled' will be as well!

Peter Scofield Superintendent Operations Bury Division