(a)
An aerial photograph of the ground and its environs. This
helps to pinpoint the exact location of external problems
and to determine which resources, police, stewards, or both,
are best placed to respond.
(b)
A detailed plan of the ground showing individual stands,
turnstiles and exit gates.
(c)
A schedule detailing all turnstiles and indicating what
parts of the ground they each access. If information is
received, for example, that known football hooligans have
been entering via turnstile No. 7 it is important to know
immediately what part of the ground they have occupied.
(d)
A schedule detailing all turnstiles in their individual
groupings. If turnstiles 17 to 22, and 37 to 42 inclusive,
for example, give access to a particular upper stand it
is vital that this is known in the event that you reach
capacity in that part of the ground and require to close
the area down quickly. Turnstiles 17 to 42 inclusive is
not the same as 17 to 22 and 37 to 42 inclusive. Turnstiles
18 to 36 inclusive access an entirely different part of
the ground. You must know your turnstile combinations.
(e)
A copy of the Ground Standing Orders which address a whole
range of issues, including evacuation procedures.
(f)
A copy of any local bye-laws, for example, those prohibiting
the consumption of alcoholic liquor in public places, in
respect of which stewards or police may seek clarification.
(g)
A copy of the Scottish Premier League Ground Regulations,
No. 15 of which, for example, stipulates that - "All
persons entering this Ground are admitted subject to the
condition that they may be required to submit to search
to prevent prohibited articles being brought into the ground
which might be used to cause injury or damage to other persons
or property."
(h)
A copy of the Lord Advocate's Instructions to Chief Constables
Regarding Incidents During Sporting Events.
(i)
A copy of the club's internal telephone directory. If a
crisis develops either before, during or after the match
it is important to be able to contact key people immediately.
(j)
A pre-prepared PUBLIC ADDRESS ANNOUNCEMENT which indicates
that the match has been postponed before kick-off or abandoned
during play together with details of the revised match arrangements.
Some clubs are fortunate that each match at their ground
is all-ticket and fans can always be re-admitted on production
of their ticket stub. Other clubs are less fortunate and
may have to deal with demands for cash refunds on the day
or implement a voucher refund system. In either event you
have to be ready to deal with a postponement or abandonment
at extremely short notice.
(k)
A pre-prepared PUBLIC ADDRESS ANNOUNCEMENT in coded text,
the content of which will indicate to both police and stewards
that the match is to be postponed or abandoned in 5 minutes
time. There is a procedure already in place whereby Police
Match Commanders will be so advised by the match referee
and the 5 minutes warning is essential to give them and
the Safety Officers sufficient time to open exit gates,
et cetera, before the crowd becomes aware of the circumstances
and begin to disperse.
(l)
A file of contingency diagrams which depict suggested courses
of action in the event of FIRE; BOMB THREAT; SUSPECT PACKAGE;
DAMAGE TO STRUCTURES; POWER CUT OR FAILURE; GAS LEAK OR
CHEMICAL INCIDENT; SAFETY EQUIPMENT FAILURE, viz. TURNSTILE
COUNTING MECHANISM, CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION, PUBLIC ADDRESS
SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC INFORMATION BOARDS, STEWARDS' RADIO SYSTEM
or INTERNAL TELEPHONE SYSTEMS; SURGING OR CRUSHING; PITCH
INCURSION; LATE ARRIVALS OR DELAYED START; LOCK-OUTS; DISORDER
IN THE GROUND or LARGE-SCALE TICKET FORGERY; or EMERGENCY
EVACUATION.
(m)
Photographs of particular flags together with a brief history
of each, items, which at Ibrox and Celtic Park can cause
serious offence and provoke disorder.
