AndyC,

Apologies for not emphasising the word 'potential' in my previous comment, I will put it in capital letters next time.

I have been to a few rugby grounds over the past few years, Ravenhill, Lansdowne Rd, Christchurch NZ, Napier NZ, Dunedin NZ. They all had police officers in attendance. They all had police officers in attendance because they are required by law to do so. Football stadia are the same, so are cricket grounds. Lots of people + alcohol + sport = police.

I love sport of all types and I have to agree with you that football is the craziest. As a Leeds fan, I have witnessed some outrageous behaviour over the years from a few maniacs. When I used to go to the cricket at Headingley, the same maniacs would be there but they would be behaving themselves. The same with the rugby, both league and union, no violence whatsoever. Something strange happens around football, I cannot explain it. Perhaps it is just uber-tribalism.

Posted by WH | 17.12.09, 16:23 GMT

WH, you've obviously never been at Ravenhill or any other rugby ground on these islands. Travelling fans, especially in the HEC are welcomed and actively encouraged to join in the craic. You're obviously mixing up Rugby and chavball. A traffic warden in the beer tent would be of more use in directing people to/from the bar and removing those that have overstayed the free parking period! The services of the PSNI would have been better served on the pitch on Saturday.

Posted by AndyC | 17.12.09, 08:18 GMT

Imagine 5 Police at an event which attracted 12k people!


Get a life Esler!

Posted by James | 15.12.09, 20:15 GMT

I may be wrong, but I think the key words in Esler's letter are "hospitality unit". What does he mean by "hospitality unit"? Is it a public bar or is it a 'private, corporate-style, hospitality unit'?

If it is a public bar, then it is understandable why five PSNI officers may have been there. Alcohol + large numbers of rival rugby fans = potential big-bloke madness. If, however, it is a heated, boxed, hospitality unit (the good ones have free food, nice wine and attractive waitresses), then Esler may have a valid point. So, which is it?

If only Esler was a photographer, better still one of NI's finest aerial photographers, he would have been able to capture all the goings-on for posterity. If only, eh Esler?

Posted by WH | 15.12.09, 12:55 GMT

and if something 'kicked off' you'd be the first one moaning about lack of police presence at the game!

Posted by not convinced | 15.12.09, 11:22 GMT

For an event of that size, I think five officers seems like a tiny number.

Anyway, are the number of police present not requested by or at least agreed with the event organisers?

Not sure why but it sounds like you have an axe to grind, Esler.

Posted by Richard | 15.12.09, 10:44 GMT