MPs Demand Inquiry into Intelligence Used for Heavy policing of Aston Villa Match
BIRMINGHAM, England – Members of Parliament have called for a full investigation into claims that intelligence used to justify a large-scale police operation at the Aston Villa-Maccabi Tel Aviv football match on November 6 was “exaggerated.” The operation saw over 700 officers deployed, prompting questions about proportionality and the basis for assessing potential public disorder.
The concerns stem from allegations made by the Supporters’ Trust at Villa Park (ST) that West Midlands Police (WMP) overstated the risk posed by Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters, referencing incidents at a previous match in amsterdam involving Ajax. Home Office ministers are now seeking answers, with a wider inquiry launched into safety assessment procedures across policing. The incident raises broader questions about intelligence gathering and resource allocation at large sporting events, particularly in a climate of heightened security concerns.
Policing Minister Mims Davies told MPs she had written to WMP to “get to the bottom” of the claims and that the Home Office had requested His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary,Fire and Rescue Services to conduct a extensive investigation into how safety assessments were carried out. WMP has initiated its own debrief and will publish a timeline detailing the events, decisions made, and rationale behind recommendations provided to the Safety Advisory Group (SAG).
WMP maintains its evaluation was ”based primarily on data and intelligence and had public safety at its heart.” A spokesperson stated the force assessed a previous fixture between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv as having involved “meaningful public disorder” and that information was shared with them by Dutch police during a meeting on October 1. Police had previously concluded that a “sub-section of Maccabi fans posed ‘a credible threat to public safety.'”
despite the concerns, WMP asserts that the policing strategy and operational plan were “effective, proportionate, and maintained the city’s reputation as a safe and welcoming place for everyone.” The outcome of the Home Office and HMICFRS investigations is expected to determine whether the force’s assessment was justified and whether changes to intelligence gathering or deployment protocols are necessary.
