KDS + KDS Youth

Taken From Rushden & Diamonds Fans Forum

Hi everyone! Hope you are well?

Following the match last Monday, I just wanted to update you on what went on from the police side of things.

There has been a report of damage in Irthlingborough linked to some of the KHFC 'risk' group that attended. Some damage has not been reported to the police.

If you are a victim of damage suspected to be caused by these youths, please report your crime - 08453 700700.

Some of the these males have been identified and the Kidderminster FIO is looking to make arrests for any offences disclosed, including 'entering the playing area' (Frag - I hope they get what they deserve). CCTV has been requested from the club and ENDC for the incidents in Irthlingborough.

The Kidderminster FIO did send an intelligence assessment and a decision was made to go 'Police Free' our end! (Probably down to cost again). What really makes me mad is that if officers from Kidderminster had attended, this group would have been caught on video and monitored throughout the day!!!!!!!!! This would be at NO cost to Northants Police or the club. (The away teams officers are paid for by the away teams force - it's a National agreement!). I'm not saying that there would not have been any incidents or crime, but at least the genuine fans would have felt safe!

Anyway, just thought I would update you all.

Good luck for the rest of the season - that fixture against the 'ploppies' is looking good!

Article will apear here soon

 
Midlands football louts targeted

A day of action planned as a crackdown on travelling football hooligans has passed off successfully.
British Transport Police targeted several matches across the country, including those of Birmingham City, Stoke City, Walsall and Kidderminster.

Extra police were put on trains taking the fans to matches to arrest any troublemakers and bar them from games.

A spokesman said the day, the second such day of action, had gone well and no arrests had been made.

Games targeted in the Midlands were Sheffield Wednesday v Stoke City in the Championship, Walsall v Rotherham in Division One and Burton Albion v Kidderminster

(taken from the wolverhampton express and star- december 2005)

Cheltenham (H) 2004- (KHRA- now KDS)

Fan is guilty of air rifle charge

A KIDDERMINSTER Harriers soccer supporter has been convicted of having an air rifle on the way to a game in March last year.

******* ****** was accused of intending to cause supporters of Cheltenham Town to fear violence. He admitted possessing the weapon whilst prohibited because of a previous period in custody.

******, 19, of ****** Drive, Kidderminster, was remanded on bail at Hereford Crown Court for a pre-sentence report.

Recorder Martin Butterworth said he was granting bail "with some hesitation" as ****** had several previous convictions.

He imposed a 7am to 7pm curfew and banned ****** from attending any Harriers matches, home or away, or entering Kidderminster town centre.

From the archive
http://www.thisisworcestershire.co.uk
© Newsquest Media Group 2005

 Thursday 5th May 2005-

Soccer fan gets banned

A KIDDERMINSTER Harriers soccer fan has been banned from matches for the rest of the season for allegedly having a gun on the way to a home game.

****** ****** is charged with possession of a firearm with intent to cause Cheltenham Town supporters fear of violence.

The 18-year-old, of ****** Drive, Kidderminster, is also accused of resisting arrest and possession of a gun - an air rifle - when prohibited by a five-year ban.

Recorder Barbara Carter remanded him on bail at Worcester Crown Court on condition he does not attend home or away matches and keeps away from Kidderminster town centre on match days.

****** will appear at court again on June 20 for a plea and directions hearing.

Cheltenham Home (express and star article)

Shoppers looked on with horror as more than 30 booze-fuelled men punched and threatened police officers in Kidderminster before Harriers' crunch football clash with Cheltenham Town. Police dogs were used as officers tried to calm the abusive men, reportedly supporting Cheltenham Town. They threatened passers-by and threw punches at police officers between 12noon and 1pm in New Road before being moved up to Aggborough in time for kick off.Traffic came to a standstill as some yobs were arrested face down in the middle of the road, with police vans swerving across the carriageway. Police chiefs had asked the Royal Exchange pub landlord John Burton to cater for the group of 30 men in the late morning but he was forced to contact officers after midday when things got out of hand. He said: "Everything was fine at the beginning but the fans started getting rowdy so I had to call for the police." One man took on two officers but was forced to the floor after swinging punches at them and police dogs jumped at the members main group, who were chanting and cited onlookers and police officers. Richard Evans, from Kidderminster, said he was petrified to cross the road in case he was punched by the group. He said: "I was pushing my baby girl along the street when I saw and heard these group of yobs. Everybody was standing and staring at them. It was difficult not to. "I feared for my safety and swore I was going to be punched when I looked at the yobs. Some were shouting across at me." Ashley Nock, aged 38 from Far Forest, was caught up amongst the group as the yobs made their way down New Road. He said: "Punches were flying but the police were already on the scene." DC Belinda Sparkes from Kidderminster police said: ""We made a total of four arrests, two for public order offences and two relating to disorder, but were pleased overall by the way the way our officers contained the situation."

FA CUP MATCH. YEAR 2000

 KIDDERMINSTER Police have defended their action to let football thugs into the town after fighting broke out on Saturday. Pub licensees were shocked to find about 30 hooligans on the rampage after Kidderminster Harriers' clash against Burton Albion despite prior warnings thugs were expected. Nine were arrested after fighting broke out outside the Farmers pub, Comberton Hill, at about 5pm and trouble flared as police and hooligans had a two-hour stand-off at the railway station. The yobs, mainly Derby County "fans", refused to board one train but finally left under police escort at about 9pm. Kidderminster Police duty inspector Ian Massey explained the police were powerless to prevent the thugs from entering the town. He said: "We received intelligence reports they were coming but were powerless to turn them away. It would be an infringement of their civil liberties." Police spotters identified troublemakers and those causing offences were arrested. Insp Massey said: "Although there were a number of ugly scenes these were caused by a minority of people. "There were no reports of serious injuries or extensive damage." Railway Bell landlord Bill Campbell, one of many licensees who closed their doors on police advice, was aghast the hooligans were allowed in town and incensed it took four hours for them to go after fighting broke out. He said: "The police talk about civil liberties. What about our civil liberties and all those people who were frightened on the hill? "The police had riot gear. Why didn't they just steam in and get rid of them? "Also, I didn't recognise any Kidderminster Police who could have spotted yobs from around here." Insp Massey reiterated the police could not act unless an offence was committed and pointed out the thugs were contained in isolation, away from the public, at the railway station. He said Kidderminster personnel were on duty but many were drafted in from specialist functions and others were new recruits. The police had started a review of the day's operation to see if there were any lessons to be learned. However, traders on Comberton Hill praised the police presence during the day, which led to a trouble-free afternoon. Joan O'Brien, owner of ladies fashion shop Mayos, said: "The police did an excellent job. "They were out in force and made sure it was a safe, secure environment for people to shop - trade was not affected. "The evening sounds a different matter but landlords who let these people spend the afternoon getting drunk should not really complain."