It’s taken a little longer than we wanted to get this info to you, we’ve had dialogue with the Club and through these discussions we’ve got additional information over and above the answers to the initial questions.
Here is the initial query and the questions from members –
As part of the reply received in December, the following was stated:
“Our policy on searching is to try and not be intrusive, we are mindful of our senior and junior supporters and train our stewarding staff to be polite. Some of our stewarding staff are more comfortable conducting searches than others but we do train the staff in searching and our stewarding supervisors are encouraged to ensure a consistent approach to searching.”
Could the Trust look into this situation on behalf of the members and supporters they represent to ensure the club release full details on their website about what exactly the policy is that has been decided upon?
Reply – The Club, in replying to the specific questions raised below, believe that this provides the reasoning behind the policy on searching which has raised concerns by members.
Could the following also be confirmed in light of the answers received previously:
1) Are all stewards aware of the exact wording of this policy? (please refer to what some fans have experienced in the messageboard thread mentioned above)
Reply – The stewards are trained to work within the conditions of entry, contained within the ground regulations on the Club web site, and are made aware of the reasoning behind the policy on seaching.
2) What has been put in place at the two games since the initial issue was raised to ensure that the stewarding staff not as comfortable in conducting searches are able to do so if required?
Reply – Similar to those fans subject to searches, who are uncomfortable with the policy, no one involved with the Club – Directors / Staff / Stewards are comfortable carrying out searches, but to attempt to carry out the task in the most effective manner, the stewards receive continuous training in order to make the task as unobtrusive as possible.
3) Why are fans experiencing different levels of searches in different stands?
Reply – The underlying strategy behind the necessary searches is for it to be of a random nature, as total searching would prove to be totally unrealistic. However, when applying personal discretion individual stewards will apply varying criteria as to whom they choose to search. There should be no difference dependent on which entry is utilised by the fans, and this is an aspect that the Club will investigate in the training.
4) Is the policy, that will hopefully be shared to increase awareness amongst the club’s supporters, one which is a directive from the FA/Football League?
Reply – It’s the counter-terrorism unit which has passed on the safety concern to public venues. The threat level remains at severe, and the recent incident at a football stadium in Paris underlines the need for precaution. The fact that all stadia do not carry out the same level of security/searching as this Club may is decision made by them, and does not mean that the policy we adopt is out of step with the threat that exists.
5) Are the Trust board concerned about this ongoing issue and what will be put in place to monitor fans’ feedback going forward?
Reply – The Trust are concerned with any issue which gives rise to concern by the fans, and, as has happened on this occasion, and previously, concerns raised by them will attempt to be taken up with the Club. Trust is also concerned such that appropriate steps are taken to ensure the safety of supporters in light of advice from recognised authorities.
In addition to the specific points raised, and, hopefully, answered above, the Club have added the following :
In addition to the above, the Club asked us to reiterate the following to more fully update supporters on this matter, which has been ongoing:
Firstly, as a club we would prefer not to be conducting searches, this is also the view of the Safety Officer and the stewards who are the ones in the front line fielding the objections.
We would like supporters to be aware that the threat level to the UK is classed as “severe” , which translates that an attack is highly likely. This information is provided to us by the Football League Security Advisor who receives his information from National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO), this information is sent out to all Football League clubs. In the situation of conducting searches, we have been asking for supporters to please bear in mind that we are on the wrong end of trying to do the right thing in this situation.
Under the current threat level, the advice from NaCTSO, The Football League and our own Police Liaison Officer is to search everyone. We have been asking supporters to bear in mind that we have a responsibility for the safety of everyone entering our ground and we take that responsibility very seriously. Aside of this we had given our stewards the discretion to apply common-sense with regards to searches, and this in itself has caused us to be the subject of criticism in that we are being inconsistent. We could also be in the position of having to defend an argument from some supporters that if we don’t conduct searches, we could be accused of not acting in a responsible manner, a damned if we do and damned if we don’t situation.
The support of the Dale Trust and its members and indeed all our supporters is very important to us and the feedback that we receive from supporters and through the Dale Trust are noted and taken seriously. This matter has been ongoing in recent weeks and in addition to further discussions with the Police and the Football League Safety Advisor the matter has again been before the Club’s Board of Directors and we are looking to “relax” our policy but we want to do this in a responsible manner. Under the ground regulations we have the right to search anyone wishing to enter the ground and we will retain that right and conduct random searches as we deem appropriate. We also retain the right to search bags. In the event that you are randomly asked to be searched we would ask for supporters’ cooperation in this situation. We hope that all supporters will witness a relaxed and friendly approach at future matches from the ground safety stewards, who are here for the comfort, safety and enjoyment of all supporters.