Morning:
13°c
Police pinpoint the capital's new 'terrorist hotspot' ... Crystal Palace FC
Martin Bentham, Home Affairs Editor16.10.09
They have witnessed Eric Cantona's kung-fu kick and manager Neil Warnock's explosive temper, but it appears Crystal Palace football fans are facing an even greater peril.
In a decision which will startle many supporters, the Met has designated the club's Selhurst Park ground as a terrorism "hotspot" where special stop and search powers are needed to prevent the risk of an attack.
This means anyone inside or outside the stadium can be searched without grounds for suspicion under Section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000.
The Met has attempted to refine its use of the powers in response to criticism that they were being applied too frequently.
Under a new approach, such searches will be conducted only in "hotspot" areas of the capital where the Met decides there is a risk of terrorist activity. These include shopping centres, tourist attractions and high-profile public buildings such as the Houses of Parliament, as well as significant transport hubs and some mosques.
Several football grounds, such as Chelsea's Stamford Bridge and Arsenal's Emirates Stadium, are also thought to be included because the large number of fans they attract could be exploited by terrorists wanting to stage a "spectacular" attack. The decision to include Crystal Palace's stadium is more surprising because of the club's relatively modest attendances and mid-table position in the Championship.
The Met declined to comment on the precise reason for the ground's inclusion on the list of more than 100 "hotspot" zones.
A spokesman said, however, that football stadiums were among the "crowded place" sites where stop and searches could be necessary to prevent a terrorist attack. He said the locations were decided at borough level and the areas could be removed or added to the "hotspot" list as part of a regular reassessment of risk levels.
"The aim is to target the use of stop and search to areas, such as crowded places, where there is a risk of attack planning, hostile reconnaissance or other terrorist activity," he added.
The Met ended its policy of applying Section 44 powers across the entire capital in July following criticism from civil liberties campaigners, politicians and the Government's independent reviewer of terrorism laws, Lord Carlile, that it was antagonising law-abiding residents, particularly in ethnic minority communities.
The full impact of focusing on high-risk areas has yet to take effect, although the number of Section 44 searches is about 40 per cent down from last year.
One of the most serious incidents at Selhurst Park was in 1995 when Manchester United's Cantona kung-fu kicked and punched a Crystal Palace fan who was taunting him.
Reader views (8)
Typical misuse of powers justified in the name of anti-terrorism, the bogeyman for grown-ups. They just want freedom to interfere with us at will.
By the way I was quite near the incident between him and Cantona and heard and saw everything. I'm Palace through and through but Simmons was asking for it. We don't need scum like him reinforcing the stereotype of football supporters as ignorant thugs.
- Ray, Thornton Heath, UK
Having had my mobile stolen out of my hand by a kid on a bike outside the ground I'm surprised. The police ignored me when I reported it and even when I pointed out that it would have been caught on the ground's CCTV, the police presence around the ground is minimal even on match days despite Thornton Heath seemingly having become a cesspool of crime.
- Bob, Cheam
Surely it would be better to do this at Leyton Orient? With only 1 win at home so far this season, it'd give the supporters some excitement on a matchday.
- Jock, London
Supporters not Criminals!
No to modern football!!!
- Mark, London
As a Palace fan, you should feel embarrassed.
- Barry M Lightwater, London
C.Nichol/Nigel, as a Palace fan you should feel like a plum.
- Wss, Charlton
just confirms what we already knew, we're now living in a police state
- Billy Gaffney, Croydon
As a Palace fan, I don't know whether to feel threatened, reassured or proud.
- C. Nichol, London
