The Police and Crime Commissioner for the West Midlands, Simon Foster, said:
“I will be giving careful consideration to the Home Affairs Committee Report and determining what action is required arising from its conclusions and recommendations. I acknowledge, recognise and understand the significant strength of feeling shared by many, including myself, as a consequence of the serious concerns and shortcomings arising from the actions of West Midlands Police (‘WMP’).
“I immediately called on Birmingham City Council Safety Advisory Group (‘SAG’) and WMP, to convene a Special SAG, and conduct a review of the decision, to prohibit the attendance of away fans at the football match, between Aston Villa FC v Maccabi Tel Aviv FC.
“I continued to hold WMP to account, in accordance with the evidence, due process and the law, including in connection with the reliability of intelligence from Dutch Police, at my Accountability and Governance Board and my referral of the former Chief Constable to the Independent Office of Police Conduct.
“I have been clear, this must never happen again. I am continuing to hold WMP to account, to ensure the constant and unremitting action required, to implement the plan to restore and rebuild the trust and confidence of the public. That is essential, because without trust and confidence, it is not possible to ensure policing is with the consent of the people or to have an effective and efficient police force.”
Prior to the publication of the Home Affairs Select Committee report, the PCC wrote a letter to the Committee and its chair, outlining his concerns about a matter within the report.
You can read the letter by clicking the download link below.
