West Midland football clubs to pay extra for matchday police
Football clubs across the West Midlands have been told to stump up more cash to pay for their matches to be policed.
From next season, West Midlands Police will charge around 10 per cent more for officers to police games involving the likes of Villa, Albion, Wolves and Walsall.
And for games on bank holidays the fees will rise by around 36 per cent for a constable on duty.
It will inject around £80,000 into the coffers of the region's cash-strapped force – slightly more than Albion captain Jonny Evans' weekly wage.
The increased charges were discussed at a meeting of the West Midlands Police and Crime strategic board.
A report to the board said that in the past, WMP had been 'effectively subsidising clubs for the cost of policing'.
The move would have raised an extra £188,000, but the figure will be reduced to around £80,000 as a result of Suffolk Police losing a legal case against Ipswich Town over paying for policing on match days.
The ruling, which cannot be appealed, will cost WMP an estimated £110,000 a year.
WMP's Chief Financial Officer Mark Kenyon said the force had been charging 'significantly less' than others and wanted to redress the balance.
PCC David Jamieson added: "From next season, I am ensuring West Midlands Police increases its charges in line with other forces.
"When changes to charging are considered this will bring in about £80,000 a year, spread across the region's clubs.
"The increase in these fees amounts to no more than some clubs pay their top players each week."
The current standard fee for a constable on match days is £58.91, rising to £75.31 for games on public holidays.
From next season the charges will be £64.84 and £102.51 respectively.
WMP said that a consultation with the region's football clubs was currently taking place.
In a landmark legal case in October, the High Court ruled that clubs were not responsible for policing the roads around their stadiums on match days.
