Source · Select Committees · Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Recommendation 2
2
Accepted
Work to foster improved relationships with other governments for policing sporting events.
Recommendation
We recommend that the Government should work to foster improved relationships with other governments on policing sporting events, in order to bolster the role of British police travelling with UK teams and their collaboration with local forces. (Paragraph 20) Policing
Government Response Summary
The government detailed existing mechanisms like the National Football Information Point (NFIP) and UK Football Policing Unit (UKFPU) that already foster international collaboration and information sharing for policing sporting events. It also noted ongoing learning from past events and collaboration with German counterparts for future championships.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The UK has a long-established National Football Information Point (NFIP) operating within the UK Football Policing Unit (UKFPU). It collates, assesses and distributes information and intelligence to all those that need it, ensuring that appropriate action can be taken within the UK and overseas to prevent football-related crime and disorder. UKFPU works closely with local forces within the UK and also liaises with overseas NFIPs to share vital intelligence relating to international football matches and tournaments as well as other relevant international sporting events. During international tournaments, the Home Office works closely with policing and security stakeholders, as well as other government departments, to ensure the safety and security of English and Welsh citizens both abroad and domestically. The police regularly deploy policing delegations for overseas tournaments to support the host country’s safety and security operation. The Home Office works closely with the UKFPU on UK police planning, and to mitigate the risks of disorder and dangers to England and Wales fans at the tournament. The UK signed the Saint-Denis Convention on 15 May 2019 and has since implemented its articles which are aimed at providing a safe, secure and welcoming environment at football matches and other sports events. The Convention was formally ratified by the UK on 31 October 2023 and entered into force on 1 December 2023. It is an internationally binding instrument and establishes an integrated approach to sporting events based on three interdependent pillars: safety, security and service. It provides measures based on the highest safety, security and service standards developed in Europe. It also promotes co-operation between all public and private stakeholders (including supporters), in order to provide a safe, secure and welcoming environment at football matches and other sports events. The explanatory report of the Convention recognises that governments have a key role to play in ensuring that national sports-related safety and security arrangements are coordinated effectively at both national and local levels. Article 4 of the Convention provides that relevant parties shall ensure that the coordination arrangements involve all key public and private agencies responsible for safety, security and service matters connected with the event. This will build on the relationships that are already in place and the lesson learning the UK does with other hosting nations. For example, between French and British police forces around the Olympic and Paralympic Games, as well as the support provided out in Qatar for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. As we look to deliver the UEFA Champions League Final at Wembley this year, we are closely examining how we can learn from both Paris 2021 and Istanbul 2022. Additionally, the government is working closely with German counterparts who are currently delivering the 2024 UEFA European Football Championship. This will help inform our preparations for the 2028 UEFA European Football Championship.