Kilpatricknick
Well-Known Member
Source : A good mate in the Police who was on duty at Ibrox on Saturday and apparently has had sight
of a couple of the incident reports over the weekend.
Rangers security raised the possibility of supporter gatherings several weeks ago if/when 55 came about with Police and local politicians. Little response was initially forthcoming however very recent suggestions saying nothing of note would be necessary until 21/3 at the earliest and there would be a big plan in place if this date was pivotal. Hence despite Rangers requests they were given no guidance as to any form or PR or other means of communicating with fans. SG did touch briefly on following covid guidance in a press conference but this was coincidental
Both the Police AND the Club were caught short by numbers gathering at Ibrox prior to SM match, estimates were 500 tops and expectations were most would depart prior to KO to go home and watch the game on RTV. As the day progressed it was clear that those outside the ground were not for moving and estimated actual numbers were around 2500-3000 at full time. Given these numbers containment was the only appropriate and achievable response. Officers were instructed NOT to arrest nor detain those present for pyro or street drinking or Covid offences as this would have an effect on the numbers of officers present.
A quick meeting with Rangers security and a Police Inspector on duty came to an AGREED conclusion that some brief Socially Distanced interaction between the players and fans may effectively "give the fans what they want to see" and hasten their departure, hence the players going to the Copland gates after the match and then out the dressing room windows was actually encouraged to a large extent. This similar tactic was also asked of the players at Auchenhowie yesterday afternoon to achieve a similar purpose.
The Police statement this evening was not the forces intention but more or less came straight from Humza's office today and the Officer who put his name to it basically had no choice but apparently hes fuucking mad at having to do this as he feels it will undermine existing good relations between Police and the club (including intervention advice) but the Snatzis gave him no wiggle room.
No reason to doubt this guy and theres a lot of very unhappy coppers in Glasgow just now as to how this whole thing has been played out.
Make of this what you will.
Asked him about George Sq but wasn't working then and none the wiser as to the finer detail
of a couple of the incident reports over the weekend.
Rangers security raised the possibility of supporter gatherings several weeks ago if/when 55 came about with Police and local politicians. Little response was initially forthcoming however very recent suggestions saying nothing of note would be necessary until 21/3 at the earliest and there would be a big plan in place if this date was pivotal. Hence despite Rangers requests they were given no guidance as to any form or PR or other means of communicating with fans. SG did touch briefly on following covid guidance in a press conference but this was coincidental
Both the Police AND the Club were caught short by numbers gathering at Ibrox prior to SM match, estimates were 500 tops and expectations were most would depart prior to KO to go home and watch the game on RTV. As the day progressed it was clear that those outside the ground were not for moving and estimated actual numbers were around 2500-3000 at full time. Given these numbers containment was the only appropriate and achievable response. Officers were instructed NOT to arrest nor detain those present for pyro or street drinking or Covid offences as this would have an effect on the numbers of officers present.
A quick meeting with Rangers security and a Police Inspector on duty came to an AGREED conclusion that some brief Socially Distanced interaction between the players and fans may effectively "give the fans what they want to see" and hasten their departure, hence the players going to the Copland gates after the match and then out the dressing room windows was actually encouraged to a large extent. This similar tactic was also asked of the players at Auchenhowie yesterday afternoon to achieve a similar purpose.
The Police statement this evening was not the forces intention but more or less came straight from Humza's office today and the Officer who put his name to it basically had no choice but apparently hes fuucking mad at having to do this as he feels it will undermine existing good relations between Police and the club (including intervention advice) but the Snatzis gave him no wiggle room.
No reason to doubt this guy and theres a lot of very unhappy coppers in Glasgow just now as to how this whole thing has been played out.
Make of this what you will.
Asked him about George Sq but wasn't working then and none the wiser as to the finer detail