The Sovereign Base Areas (SBA) Police have completed a week-long visit to the United Kingdom, working alongside the Metropolitan Police’s Public Order and Football Policing Unit to enhance their capabilities ahead of a busy football season for Cypriot supporters.
SBA police officers recently returned from the UK after a week of cooperation with the Metropolitan Police’s Public Order Service and Football Policing Unit.
The cooperation included accompanying Metropolitan Police specialists to Premier League and Champions League matches, enabling SBA officers to gain a clearer understanding of their capabilities and what can be applied within the Bases.
The SBA Police are responsible for policing five teams, including First Division club Ethnikos Achnas. According to Acting Assistant Superintendent Marcos Petrou, although there are obvious differences between a Premier League match and one in Cyprus, there was still significant expertise for his officers to draw upon.
“It was very interesting to see how police deal with such large matches, with thousands of supporters entering and leaving stadiums,” he said.
“We were able to see how much work is required for football policing even before matches begin, and although the scale may differ greatly, the principles of policing remain the same. We must ensure that everyone arrives at the match and returns home safely and without problems.”
Football hooliganism peaked in the UK during the 1970s and 1980s, but since the introduction of restrictions around stadiums and new technology, crowd trouble has been reduced to a minimum.
Cyprus continues to face hooligan incidents at certain matches. According to Petrou, it is important that his officers can seek advice when needed.
“One of the most important things I can take from this cooperation is that we now have a direct line to the officers on the front line of football policing in London,” he continued. “I know that if I have questions, I can simply call them, and that is extremely important.
“The safety of supporters at football matches is paramount, and as a police force we will do everything we can to ensure that crowds enjoy games without fear for their lives.”
Pafos FC will face Chelsea away at Stamford Bridge in the Champions League in January, with thousands of Cypriot fans expected to attend.
That match naturally came up during discussions with the head of football policing at the stadium. Although Pafos FC does not play within the SBAs, Petrou said he was happy to cooperate so that Cyprus Police officers could communicate with London officers ahead of the match.
“We have an excellent working relationship with the Cyprus Police,” he said. “That is why I was happy to pass on the details of Cyprus Police officers to those in the UK, so they can exchange information before the match and ensure everyone’s safety.”