Great work skyblu3sk, i emailed the club this morning.
Sent a letter to the police complaints and will also email Kerry Blakeman now.
To whom it may concern,
I am writing regarding an incident that took place at the Ricoh Arena on Saturday 10th September during the Coventry Derby game. Halfway through the first half while a banner was confiscated in the Telegraph stand a policeman whose name and number was not on view, aggressively and unnecessary approached a fan that was standing up. The supporter in question felt singled out considering hundreds of fans behind him were also standing up. A confrontation began with words exchanged and a few more police officers arrived who then pushed the gentleman down the stairs. I also witnessed and elderly lady with a walking stick pushed by the officers. This incited an incident which I believe if policed in the right way could have been avoided. Instead friends of the said gentleman and fellow supporters were angry by the police methods and actions.
I am writing on 2 points.
I was under the impression all police officers on duty need to have on view name and number? This was not the case
The police actions instigated the trouble which occurred during the first half.
I would like to know what actions will be taken against the officers in question
Regards
Very similar to mine Mumford, I ask more people to send details as well. Here's mine:
Dear Chief Inspector Blakeman,
I'm writing to you today to request some information and to give you a close hand account of Saturdays details.
Firstly, I'd like to request information on Officers Identification Numbers, as one Officer in Block 15-16 was NOT wearing any identification numbers. This is the flashpoint that caused all the scenes of unrest in the corner of the Tesco stand on Saturday. It was not helped by Stewards heavy handed approach and cowardly use of pushing female Stewards to the forefront of the trouble, this however I understand is out of your remit.
I'd also like information and clarification on the useage of video cameras by Officers at Saturdays game. According to the Football Supporters Federation's
STAND UP SIT DOWN guidelines:
"They[the Police] have no legal power to force you to have your photograph taken. Do not allow
them to do this. This too will be kept on file for SEVEN years. Keep your head turned
away, or put your hand in front of your face."
So I was wondering if video footage falls under a different law? I certainly know that I am camera at yesterday's game and am upset that I am so due to just being in close proximity to a flashpoint.
As for details of events, the man who was ejected from Block 16 on Saturday, calmly asked one of the Officers on duty why he wasn't wearing his numbers. The Officer in question, gave him a very short answer and stalked away to the top of the stairs while
another Officer who seemingly had no reason to get involved got very irate and aggressive toward the man in question. Which brought more Officers, numberless one included, down the stairs and caused the scenes you've no doubt seen.
I'd like to enclose an image that you may or may not have seen. [enclosed in attachments]. As you can see from the image, the man ejected has been quite heavily restrained and still has not raised his arms in defence. This is after being bent over seats and shoved around by the Officers. Myself and my Father were nearly knocked over chairs in our own seats after yet more Officers ran onto the scene.
I understand that sometimes things get caught up in the moment, that's certainly what happened on Saturday and I don't applaud some members of the support charging down to push the Police out. But we all watched in horror at the Officers behaviour and it was very difficult to do nothing, if possible I would like a clarification of the above points and if suitable an apology to the Supporters in Block 15 and 16 would be appreciated.
Thank you for your time,
Glenn Storer.
