@owlstalk Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 As I mentioned in a previous thread at one of our last home games I had a discussion pitchside with Tom Carr who is a Football Intelligence Officer who works with Sheffield Wednesday crowds to try and ensure safety and with a view to eradicating any issues that could see fans arrested or in bother. Tom has a job to do but refreshingly when you speak with him you get a very clear view that he's not one of those policemen that are out to arrest as many as possible for any reason possible, in fact the opposite - that he wants fans to not get themselves into bother and for the matches to go ahead without incident. He has dropped me an email today asking if I could drop this onto the site to help promote safety at Sheffield Wednesday, and to provide information and education as to what exactly are the rules and laws around pyrotechnics, smoke bombs etc as not everyone will understand in clear terms what the risks, consequences or laws are around this subject. Below is a fact sheet that Tom's sent over that is really well put together and easy to understand - so if you could all take a few minutes to have a read of it I'm sure you'll find it interesting Hopefully if a few of the fans who aren't aware of these laws read it we can prevent them landing themselves in innocent bother with the police etc :-) Thanks to Tom Carr at the SWFC Football Unit for sending us this What is the law governing smoke bombs and flares at football matches? The Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol etc.) Act 1985. It is on offence for a person to enter or attempt to enter a football ground while in possession of a flare, smoke bomb or firework. The sentence for these offences can be as much as three months in prison, and in many cases, fans who have no previous convictions are being given prison sentences for attempting to enter a football ground with a smoke bomb in their pocket as the courts take these offences very seriously. There are two different offences (1) possession in the football ground; and (2) possession while attempting to enter. Although logically, attempting to enter a football ground seems to be less culpable than a fan who has managed to get the smoke bomb, flare or firework into the football ground, in real terms the courts do not consider one offence to be more serious than the other. Fans searched prior to entering the football ground and found to be in possession of a firework, flare or smoke bomb, have still been given custodial sentences. What does 'attempting to enter' a football ground mean? The courts have decided that 'attempting to enter' means much more than a person who is searched at the turnstiles. Fans have been given a prison sentence for carrying a smoke bomb in their pocket when exiting the train station closest to the football ground, or when walking through the car park on the way to the football ground. A court is likely to decide that a fan who is in possession of a ticket and is close to the ground is ‘attempting to enter’. Is it more serious to carry a flare or a firework instead of a smoke bomb? Although a firework or flare may be seen as more dangerous than a smoke bomb to most people, the courts do not seem to distinguish between them. Fans have been sentenced to three months in prison for carrying a smoke bomb, without having actually let it off. What is a firework? Even a sparkler falls within the definition of firework, as do bangers and anything else that has a Firework Standard logo on it. What is a smoke bomb? Anything which emits smoke or visible gas, even something which is home made. Will a conviction for possession of a firework, flare or smoke bomb result in a football banning order? It is highly likely that the court will impose a football banning order on a fan who is convicted of possession of a firework, flare or smoke bomb at a football match. The very nature of the offence means that the prosecution are likely to be able to persuade the court that the offence is football related, and that it is necessary to impose the order to prevent the offence happening again. How long will the Football Banning Order last? Most football banning orders imposed by a court after a conviction for a football related offence are for 3 years. This does not only prevent the fan from attending football matches for the next 3 years, but can prevent them from entering the town of their football team on match days, and require them to hand their passport to the Police when the England or Wales national team are playing overseas (as appropriate). A football banning order will show up on a Criminal Records Bureau checks and may prevent a fan from obtaining a visa to travel to countries such as the USA, or working in certain professions, such as working with children. In addition, football clubs have issued life bans to fans who have been convicted of possession of a firework, flare or smoke bomb, meaning that even once the football banning order has expired, you may still be banned by your club. What is the law on the carrying of flares, smoke bombs and fireworks for people aged under 18? The Fireworks Regulations Act 2004 In addition to the above law, it is also an offence for a person under the age of 18 to be found carrying a firework in a public place. Smoke bombs have the Firework Standard label on them and will be classed as a firework. This doesn't just apply to people under 18 going to football matches but applies to all under 18 year olds when they are out in public places such as the park or town centre. The police can issue an £80 fixed penalty notice to anyone under the age of 18 found in possession of a firework in a public place. Is it an offence for an adult to have a firework in their possession if they are not going to a match? No, it is not illegal for a person over 18 years to possess a firework, flare or smoke bomb, but it is illegal for a person over 18 years to let off the firework, flare or smoke bomb in a public place. A person over the age of 18 cannot legally be arrested for being in possession of a firework, flare or smoke bomb, other than when entering or attempting to enter a football match. For instance, the arrest of a football fan at a service station for possession of a smoke bomb in their car is an unlawful arrest unless the fan admits to the police officer that they intended to take the firework, flare or smoke bomb into the football ground later that day. Be warned that even though fans may not think that having a smoke bomb or flare in their pocket is a serious offence, the police and football club take it very seriously and even a fan with no previous convictions faces a real risk of going to prison. Spread the word to your friends and fellow fans... Our thanks to Alison Gurden, Barrister, for providing the information above. www.fsf.org.uk Owlstalk Shop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inspector Lestrade Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 Police state! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mattty Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 Even a sparkler falls within the definition of firework, Well you have just completely ruined my day out at the football. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Teetowl Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 Boooooooooo!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest intercity0wl Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 (edited) A person over the age of 18 cannot legally be arrested for being in possession of a firework, flare or smoke bomb, other than when entering or attempting to enter a football match. Just about sums the authorities in this country's attitude to football supporters, compared to our counterparts on the continent. Edited April 24, 2013 by intercity0wl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northeastowl Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 Pay up and shut up yeah? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CockneyOwl Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 There are some idiots on here. Let's all take flares. After a couple of hours in the pub I am sure a few hundred flares in a crowd would be no problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lawrie Madden Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 basically dont do anything to try and improve the atmospere,lets keep it like a library at home gamesyup cos choking noxious smoke doesn't half improve the atmosphere Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dore Owl Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 Boooo, bore off. Obviously the law should be followed, but it shouldn't be a law in the first place. Not smoke bombs and flares anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pompeyowl Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 flipping daft some of these. Attempting to enter: You are NOT attempting to enter the ground if you are at the train station or in the car park. flipping ridiculous. 3 month jail sentences for being in possession of a smoke bomb?! When the jails are overcrowded and there are people out there committing REAL crimes getting let off. Under 18s can't be arrested for purchasing smoke bombs etc until they enter the ground?! Why not arrest them anyway and say they were attempting to enter the ground?! If that's what happens with others. Reasons like these are part of why people don't like the bill and the justice system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Monkey Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 After reading the definitions I can only come to the conclusion there must be 100's of folks lighting smoke bombs on the North stand ramp during half time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReadingOwl Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 Put the pyromaniacs in the North West corner with the Band. They can all create an atmosphere together, then. Toot, Toot, Whiz, Parp, Parp, Boom, Boom, Whoose, Bang fvckin Bang. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asteener1867 Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 Did you ask why they treat bringin' fookin' flags in as the same a their bloody guy fawkes policy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheEnchanter Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 (edited) Its laughable. But we have to deal with it and follow the law. And to those who care, its lucky that people arent revolting against these draconian laws like they do accross Europe with lots of success. Just think of the German, Polish, Italian, Dutch ultras etc. Thats proper football atmosphere. I'm just waiting for the day that a flag on a stick pokes someone in the eye, through the brain and out of the skull, coagulating in a thick bloody mess as they trip down the vertical stairs of a football stadium into the 30000 seats of segregation. Then those who enforce these rules will gaze with a smugly justified tone amongst the herds of cattle that they police. Edited April 24, 2013 by TheEnchanter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 1banana2banana Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 There are some idiots on here. Let's all take flares. After a couple of hours in the pub I am sure a few hundred flares in a crowd would be no problem.What's the issue with smoke canisters though? It's ok in nightclubs but not safe at an open air football game? Please explain It might seem like a grown up thing to do to act all pc on this forum and tut away at your computer but this is another small stepping stone towards having us all paying £50 a ticket to sit down and be quiet all game then go home Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
@owlstalk Posted April 24, 2013 Author Share Posted April 24, 2013 What's the issue with smoke canisters though? Where do you throw them though ? On the pitch ? Owlstalk Shop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheEnchanter Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 Where do you throw them though ? On the pitch ? Could just hold them. Which is what people would do if they were allowed. People throw them because they are awarw of getting caught... are they not? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
@owlstalk Posted April 24, 2013 Author Share Posted April 24, 2013 the fact is neil and his cronies at the club wnnt be happy till all games are played behind closed doors You're often overlooked by many who dont' spot it - but you really truly are a comedy genius Owlstalk Shop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eaton_Swfc Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 I can make home made smoke bombs. Get your orders in now to ensure delivery before Peterborough Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lawrie Madden Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 Its laughable. But we have to deal with it and follow the law. And to those who care, its lucky that people arent revolting against these draconian laws like they do accross Europe with lots of success. Just think of the German, Polish, Italian, Dutch ultras etc. Thats proper football atmosphere. I'm just waiting for the day that a flag on a stick pokes someone in the eye, through the brain and out of the skull, coagulating in a thick bloody mess as they trip down the vertical stairs of a football stadium into the 30000 seats of segregation. Then those who enforce these rules will gaze with a smugly justified tone amongst the herds of cattle that they police. maybe along with the smoke and the flares we could introduce nazi salutes and racist chanting be proper ultras Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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