Source · Select Committees · Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Recommendation 12
12
Deferred
Paragraph: 63
Increasing Class A drug use at sporting events undermines accessibility; deterrents unclear
Conclusion
The increasing use of Class A drugs at sporting events is something that police and clubs should both be taking more seriously. Although a direct link between drug use and violence has not been proven, widespread drug taking is anti-social and undermines football’s accessibility. We welcome the use of Football Banning Orders for Class A drug related offences, but it is as yet unclear whether they provide an adequate deterrent against drug use, nor do they protect law-abiding fans, particularly families, from exposure to repeated and flagrant drug use.
Government Response Summary
The government's response discusses the inability of police forces to recover the full cost of policing football matches and the legislative changes required for full cost recovery, which does not address the committee's conclusion regarding increasing Class A drug use at sporting events or their deterrence.
Paragraph Reference:
63
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
12. The government understands that police forces are not able to recover the full cost of policing football matches. Even before the Ipswich ruling1, (which established the scope 1 Ipswich Town FC v Chief Constable of Suffolk Constabulary (EFL intervening) [2017] EWCA Civ 1484 of policing costs for which football clubs may be charged), the police could only recover a portion of their costs. Cost recovery is governed by the provisions of Section 25 of the Police Act 1996 and as such, a return to pre-Ipswich cost recovery levels would require changes to primary legislation, impacting a number of sectors outside football.