12 December 2008
Your Ref:
Our Ref:
0901/08
Mr Alastair Manderson
[email address]
Force Disclosure Unit
Police Headquarters
173 Pitt Street
GLASGOW
G2 4JS
Tel: 0141 435 1216
Fax: 0141 435 1218
Dear Mr Manderson
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NUMBER 0901/08
I refer to your correspondence of 14 November 2008, which was received by Strathclyde
Police on same date.
I have sent this Freedom of Information request - To ask what support is in place for
football supporters who wish to ensure that any banner they wish to display at a match.
I would also be delighted if you could inform me of how many banners have been
confiscated inside or immediatley outside a football stadium.
Your request for information has now been considered and I can advise you that Strathclyde
Police does not hold any of the information requested by you. In terms of Section 17 of the
Act, this letter represents a formal notice that information is not held.
By way of explanation, the police would not confiscate banners as this is an area that is
governed by the SPL, SFL and SFA ground regulations in relation to football fixtures within
Scotland, therefore this would be enforced by the club through their stewards. The police
would only seize a banner if a crime or offence involving the banner had been committed and
it is required as a production for future court proceedings.
Article 14 of the regulations states that “banners, or other articles which could, or might be
used as a weapon, or to cause annoyance or offence, are not permitted into the ground”
Consequently, the football clubs have the power to restrict the display of banners which may
be contentious or offensive in nature.
By way of assistance it may be of use for you to direct your request to the individual Football
Clubs, who may be in a position to assist you with your request.
I hope this information is helpful, however, if you are not satisfied with the way in which
your request has been dealt with, you are entitled in the first instance to request a review of
the decision made by the Force. Should you wish to request such a review, please write to
Mrs Sheena Brennan, Disclosure Manager at the above address within 40 working days of
receiving this letter. Once informed of the Review Panel’s decision, if you are still not
satisfied, then you are entitled to apply to the Scottish Information Commissioner for a
decision. Contact details are; Office of the Scottish Information Commissioner, Kinburn
Castle, Doubledykes Road, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9DS, telephone 01334 464610.
I should like to take this opportunity to thank you for your interest in Strathclyde Police.
Should you require any further assistance concerning this matter please contact me directly on
0141 435 1216 quoting the reference number given.
Yours Sincerely
Colette McFarlane
Freedom of Information Officer
