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The head of the Metropolitan Police in the UK, Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, has proposed that football clubs should contribute to the £70 million cost of policing their matches. He questioned why event organizers that require police support for security do not bear the financial responsibility, advocating for a “polluter pays approach.” Sir Mark also called for the consolidation of police forces, suggesting the creation of 12 to 15 larger forces to address increased demand and stretched funding, in contrast to the current 43-force model across England and Wales.
In a move to address funding concerns, Chancellor Rachel Reeves recently announced a 2.3% annual increase in policing funds for England and Wales. However, many forces have criticized this increase as inadequate. Sir Mark emphasized the importance of police forces, such as the Met, utilizing funding efficiently in light of financial constraints. Additionally, he highlighted the disproportionate burden placed on local communities to fund the £70 million cost of policing football matches in the UK, especially Premier League games.
The idea of making football clubs pay for policing costs was previously suggested by the head of the UK’s football policing unit, Mark Roberts, but faced criticism from sports bodies. Sir Mark reinforced the need for substantial reform by reducing the number of police forces by two-thirds to streamline operations and leverage modern technology effectively. He underscored that the current 43-force model, established in the 1960s, is outdated and inadequate for combating present-day threats, indicating the need for a more cost-effective and efficient framework.
Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley stressed the urgency of implementing reforms to optimize policing resources and ensure public safety. He acknowledged the significant decrease in policing and public safety spending over the past decade, underscoring the importance of maximizing government funding efficiently. Despite potential opposition to the proposed reforms, Sir Mark emphasized the necessity of prioritizing policing activities to enhance the daily experiences of Londoners on the streets
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