Police under fire after officers arrive in force at 'bounce' game

[ian1964 10,720]

POLICE have been accused of wasting time after they turned up in force to monitor a friendly football match between Old Firm fans.

The bounce game had been set up between friends in Strathaven, Lanarkshire, to mark the end of the football season.

 

Celtic and Rangers fans had been lined up to take part in the 11-a-side challenge which was a repeat of a game played successfully weeks earlier.

 

The previous match was at a different sports centre but after police intervened the venue was switched to playing fields in the town due to the "nature of the game".

 

But stunned players and about 50 spectators watched as a heavy police presence arrived at the start of the game.

 

Witnesses have told how the match was monitored by two officers in a patrol car, two on the beat and a police transit van full of uniformed police.

 

A spokesman for Strathclyde Police said: "Police were initially informed that there would be over 100 people involved in the match.

 

"On the day police went to see what was happening. They realised that the game was what is known as a 'bounce' game. They found no cause for concern and left.":grin:

 

http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/Police-under-fire-after-officers.6771234.jp

[johnnyk 158]

The police had bad enough reputations but they are becoming a total joke and a total waste of money!

[Gazza_8 233]

I think that the police were right to act on the intelligence they received about this game. OK, it turned out to be a bounce game but imagine if they never turned up and it kicked off?

 

Better to be safe than sorry I say.