Police legal team had concerns over 'irrational' Hull City travel restrictions

SENIOR police officers were warned they may be seen to be "acting irrationally" imposing travel restrictions on Hull City fans when football intelligence revealed "no reported issues".

Hull City manager Steve Bruce branded police restrictions for the Tigers fans who travelled to Huddersfield in March as "total nonsense". West Yorkshire Police had ordered fans to either catch an official coach from Hull or get to an M62 motorway services to pick up tickets, before being transported to the stadium by coach.

Police also restricted the number of tickets for Hull City fans to 1,700 when the away stand's capacity is 4,000.

Now, internal West Yorkshire Police emails, seen by the Mail, appear to show the force's own legal team voiced concern over the travel restrictions, which fans branded "Draconian".

In an email sent to Craig Guildford, the force's assistant chief constable, on February 28, a member of the force's own Legal Services team wrote: "There is a risk that a court would find that we have acted irrationally in agreeing to the Leeds vs Derby game with no restrictions (when Leeds have a far worse record for disorder than Huddersfield or Hull and when there is evidence of recent disorder between Leeds and Derby fans).

"Hull fans have not had any travel restrictions imposed on them for any other away game this season."

On February 11, Superintendent Ged McManus wrote to a member of Kirklees Operations Planning department: "I know this is short notice, but can we have a report ... in relation to the behaviour of Hull fans this season?"

The next day, Supt McManus received a reply, stating: "There were no reported issues. I have trawled through the reports for all the Hull away fixtures."

An email exchange on February 22 showed Supt McManus had asked a colleague at Huddersfield Police Station to trawl through YouTube, forums and media reports "in relation to the behaviour of Hull City fans".

Many Hull City fans chose to boycott the game altogether and a protest was held in Huddersfield, with banners proclaiming "We are not criminals".

Chris Smith, media and marketing officer at the Hull City Official Supporters' Club, said: "It proves a point that the restrictions were not thought out. What happened on the day was a peaceful demonstration and a trouble-free match.

"The restrictions seemed over the top.

"Watching football is not a crime and I am not a criminal and don't expect to be treated like a criminal."

Andy Dalton, editor of the fanzine, Amber Nectar, said: "I hold West Yorkshire Police with contempt and what has been revealed makes me think they hold Hull City fans in a similar regard.

"I've read through the information and it has just annoyed me even more than at the time. It makes me think they acted without justification."

In response to the revelations, Assistant Chief Constable Craig Guildford, said: "Public safety and the provision of a safe environment for everyone including fans, officers and people who live and work near grounds is always our priority.

"We acknowledge there were some issues around that particular match but are always working to see how we can improve communication, travel and policing arrangements."