Police ‘in the clear’ after trouble at East Lancs derby (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Police ‘in the clear’ after trouble at East Lancs derby

9:36am Tuesday 20th April 2010 in

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LANCASHIRE Police have been cleared by an independent watchdog over their handling of last month’s football derby at Turf Moor.

A video showing officers striking some Burnley supporters with batons in the David Fishwick Stand appeared on YouTube shortly after the defeat by Blackburn.

It prompted claims of ‘heavy-handed’ policing, and bosses referred the matter to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

But the IPCC, after reviewing both CCTV and YouTube footage, has decided an investigation is not warranted.

The Football Supporters' Federation has expressed 'surprise and disappointment' at the decision.

Lancashire Police said an internal review would now take place into the way the match was policed.

The 40-second video shows police trying to disperse home fans from the stand shortly after the final whistle in the game, which Blackburn won 1-0.

One officer in particular is seen to use his baton around a dozen times to hit fans who were heading for the exits.

Police said a 'small number' of Burnley fans had refused to leave the stand, and threw objects.

Officers said the group then surged forward and knocked over officers, so police used the 'nationally approved' tactics of using their asp batons.

No injuries were reported, police said.

The Football Supporters' Federation, which represents fans across the country and is the best known supporters group in the UK with more than 140,000 members, had slammed the actions of the police.

Amanda Jacks, of the FSF, said they had been contacted by a fan who was repeatedly struck by an officers baton and had suffered bruising to his head, ribs and legs.

She said: “We find it a great pity that the IPCC did not see anything wrong.

“We feel their stance will prove counter-productive to law-abiding football supporters who want to support police in their work, but will be left quite sceptical by this decision.

“We wonder if the IPCC spoke to the supporter involved.

“Police have a difficult job to do at football matches but we can’t find any reasonable explanation for police to lash out like this.

“There must be better methods of training officers to deal with crowd situations, especially when young children are present.”

Kitty Ussher, the outgoing MP for Burnley, had called for the full investigation.

She said: “I’m slightly surprised by the decision, but the IPCC are pretty independent and well-respected.

"I appreciate it is difficult for supporters but I also respect the IPCC’s expertise.

“If any of my former constituents wanted to speak to me to find out what more can be done or find out more from the IPCC then I would be happy to help.”

Peter Pike, chairman of the Clarets Supporters’ Trust, said he backed the police stance.

“I am sure it has been looked at in detail by the IPCC, who are not concerned,” he said.

“The short YouTube video is just a piece of a much wider picture.

“We have been contacted by two fans, who both supported the police and said they took that action as a last resort.”

A huge policing operation across East Lancashire on derby day saw 43 people arrested, and 150 seats were ripped up by Blackburn Rovers fans.

A spokesman for the IPCC said: “Our assessor has looked at the CCTV footage and the YouTube footage and decided it doesn’t need to be investigated.”

A spokesman for Lancashire Police said an internal investigation was taking place.