This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Red card for football-related violence
03/06/2005
Plans to introduce football banning orders in Scotland,
to help tackle violence and sectarianism in the game, have
received support from the public.
A summary of responses to the consultation paper -
Supporting Police, Protecting Communities - has
been published today and shows that more than four out of
five respondents back the orders which would enable the
courts to ban individuals from games and associated
flashpoints in Scotland or abroad, for up to 10 years
following conviction for a football-related offence.
The orders were introduced in England and Wales in their
current form in 2000. Chief Constables in Scotland would
also be able to apply to the courts to ban an individual
from matches involving the national team and SPL or SFL
clubs for up to three years.
The summary of responses also shows support for:
- The recommendations made by Sir
John Orr in his review of marches and parades which
require new legislation, including extending the
notification period for marches from seven days to 28
days and enabling local authorities to take wider,
community views into account.
- Bringing in tough new measures to
tackle knife crime including doubling the maximum
penalty for carrying a knife in public from two to four
years and giving the police the unconditional power to
arrest someone suspected of carrying a knife
- Encouraging those accused of
crimes to give information and evidence to the police
and prosecutors about others involved in serious and
organised crime, in return for reduced sentences.
- Establishing a new independent
body to ensure that non-criminal complaints against the
police are handled fairly and rigourously
- Bringing together common police
services such as the Scottish Police College and the
Scottish Criminal Record Office, along with the
Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency under a single
authority, to ensure services are delivered effectively
and efficiently, and to improve accountability
Views on introducing mandatory drug testing and
referral, upon arrest, for anyone aged 16 or over suspected
of a drugs or drugs-related offence though mixed were
generally supportive.
Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson said:
"Sectarian bigotry has been a shameful fact of life for
too long - in our streets, in our workplaces, in our
sporting grounds. Football, our national game, enthrals
millions. But the way some fans abuse their clubs'
traditions as a vehicle for violence and sectarian abuse
stains the reputation of the game at home and abroad.
"We have pledged to rid Scotland of sectarian bullies
but to achieve this everyone needs to work together. That's
why I am encouraged that football banning orders have
received such broad support - support which will I believe
will help us turn the tide on the bigots.
"I am also encouraged by the support for Sir John Orr's
recommendations to improve the way marches and parades are
planned, notified, discussed, and carried out in a modern,
professional way. Measures, which alongside our broader
work to tackle sectarianism will help Scotland to step
forward as a modern, tolerant, inclusive country.
"The Executive will now consider all the responses to
the consultation in detail, before taking these initiative
forward in our proposed new police bill. A bill which will
ensure the police service is fully equipped to meet the
challenges of modern policing so that it can continue to
improve its service to local communities and help us
create, a safer, stronger Scotland, with reduce crime and a
reduced fear of crime."
In February the Executive published the consultation
paper Supporting Police, Protecting Communities which set
out a number of proposals to enhance police effectiveness
and promote community safety.
The consultation ran until May 3, 2005. The consultation
document was published on the internet and in addition 409
copies were issued to interested parties.
Sixty-seven responses were received from groups and
individuals including local authorities, football clubs,
supporters' organisations and the police.
Sir John Orr's independent review of marches and parades
was published January 24, 2005. The report, commissioned by
Minister's last year, concluded that local authorities
should retain responsibility for taking decisions on
processions, but emphasised the need to strike a balance
between the rights of those who want to march and the
rights of communities to live and work without major
disruption.