Cops respond to criticism after Crystal Palace football match

By Tara O’Connor, local democracy reporter

Police have responded to criticism of their actions after Crystal Palace football match this week.

After the team played their rivals Brighton and Hove Albion at Selhurst Park on Monday night (September 27) fans took to social media to slam “disastrous policing” at Norwood Junction station.

At around 10pm fans claimed they were “penned in” while videos showed fights breaking out on the platform as home and away fans were allowed to mix.

A Met Police spokesperson said that cordons were put in place in response to trouble starting after the match.

They said: “On Monday, September 27, a group of football supporters exited the Selhurst Park Stadium and headed towards the junction of Selhurst Road and Station Road where they attempted to engage in disorder with another group.

“Officers working with colleagues at BTP intervened to prevent escalation and cordons were put in place to prevent further disorder.”

The force explained one man was arrested on suspicion of affray and another on suspicion of assault on an emergency worker. Both have since been released under investigation while further enquiries are carried out.

The spokesman defended the policing of the event and the actions of officers on the night.

They added: “The Met had a dedicated policing plan in place for this event to ensure officers responded quickly to scenes of spontaneous disorder and acted swiftly when necessary.

“Policing plays an important role during large football events, in order to reduce crime, disorder and to keep people safe.”

In a Tweet after the match one fan wrote: “It was awful. We were penned in by Norwood Junction, about 20 of us, between the wall to the cherries and two police vans.

“A few people were put in with us who weren’t even football fans but they weren’t allowed out, they had no f****** clue why. Madness.”