April 2nd London Stadium Safety Advisory Group minutes online now. Some of the things to take away:
Toilets between the turnstile and Island
Issues were mainly around toilet provision between ticket turnstiles and island with only disabled toilets being available for use. E20 and LS185 will continue discussions and it was suggested that they could be let
through the turnstiles to use the facilities.
Tuesday 2 April 19 - update
West Ham United confirmed that lack of sanitary facilities will become more of an issue as more
entertainment is added outside the venue. Peter Swordy to review and present a viable solution at the next
SAG meeting.
West Ham V Fulham
Smoking is still an issue in the toilets and is currently under review. 7 nuisance issues recorded which were
dealt with successfully by the police and the stadium.
A complaint was made to the police by Fulham Supporters Trust about possible excessive force used by
Stewards. Following a review of the CCTV by the MPS and LS185 there was no evidence of excessive
force being used and the Fulham Supporter Trust were offered to watch the CCTV footage. LS185 added
that they will be re-briefing stewards on handling of fans.
The police added that the Fulham supporters behaviour on the concourse during the half time was
particularly poor
West Ham v Newcastle
Smoking at this game was also an issue. 22 ejections were noted of which one fan had 3 young children.
The MPS added that they need to be informed in the future of such instances. LBN advised LS185 that
they need to review their training and safeguarding policy. West Ham United and LS185 to submit copies of the policies in place for review.
Some damage to the stadium infrastructure was noted, the panel has been replaced with responsible
person being warned and consequences discussed.
West Ham v Huddersfield
Cat A game with some ticketing issues with tourists from abroad. There was a pitch incursion at the 91st
minute. LS185 reviewed their pitch incursion plan and were confident that they had the correct resources in place for that match. LS185 wrote a comprehensive report and WHU are checking CCTV. Responsible
person has been identified and interviewed by the MPS.
Members discussed in more detail different options and ideas to prevent pitch incursions. English Football
League and the Premier League like the plan that LS185 currently have in place.
West Ham v Everton
Arches were tested and now waiting for data to be supplied. No ticketing issues of note. Occasional
smoking recorded. Main issues were around public transportation.
SRO (Shelia Roberts - Newham Council & Chair of Meeting) acknowledged that the number of ejections has been decreasing
West Ham v Leicester City – Sat 20 April
Categorised as a B based on confrontations at previous matches. The police mentioned that there is a new
supporters group called Hammers United who are looking to engage with the Board. MPS may attend their
first meeting.
9. Update on conditions relating to capacity uplift to 60k
SRO talked about concerns expressed by SSAG which had an impact on safety management and the
assurances given to address the ongoing issues that were raised. There has been a change of an
amendment of what was suggested at that time. Alan Skewis (E20) shared an update covering concerns and mitigations to these concerns.
WHU shared their ticketing colour coding plan taking on board the comments from the previous meetings.
Partners discussed potential challenges faced with the colour coding and ensuring stewards will be clearly
briefed.
WHU mentioned that if the colour in the stadium could match the tickets for that quadrant, it would be
extremely useful. Order of new cards will be placed end of April and issued by end of season.
CCTV
AS (E20) announced that they are going through an upgrade on the network through the summer which will address the blind spots as well as a general upgrade to CCTV. Panameras on the home and away seg line have full coverage with funding approval to buy more cameras to cover all or most of the lower bowl, plan is to get 100% coverage of lower bowl if WHU provide match funding.
Body cams
44 currently in use – to be increased close to 100 units and will be in for next season and potentially more if WHU match fund. This is based on the 60k licence application.
SRO (LBN) added that with all the issues collectively prior to 60k if those concerns were not mitigated it
would have impacted the S factor. All issues collectively are absolutely related to safety management. If
some of the mitigations that were suggested are not implemented then LBN would closely review the S
factor.
North East blow out space
This has been on trial since the 2nd Jan and continuing till the end of the season and will be reviewed in the summer to discuss if it needs to be retained. If it’s successful it may be replicated in the east side and will be reviewing to meet the 60K requirement. At 57k it didn’t need the blow out space.
SRO reminded partners that LBN mentioned that the overcrowding on the concourse was an issue and
asked what mitigation would be offered if the capacity was at 60k. LBN’s view the biggest risk at the
stadium is fan behaviour. Club and LS185 have worked closely to improve the behaviour. LBN have
further concerns in relation to fan dissatisfaction and backlash should this space be removed and this would have an impact on the S Factor. It is LBN’s strong recommendation for this space to remain.
Lou Elliston (SGSA) agreed with LBN recommendations. Philippa Cartwright (WHU) concurred with SGSA and LBN as they are receiving positive feedback from fans.
AS (E20) confirmed that they will take it under review.
LBN announced that as a licensing authority they would prefer a permanent solution. Both fan experience
and capacity are linked and not separate issues.
SRO advised LS185 that when reviewing their egress plan they need to take Stratford International’s capacity concerns into consideration.
Boxing Day Fixture
Stuart Phillips (South Eastern) informed partners that due to major engineering works around the Christmas period there will not be any high speed services on Boxing Day and this will have a huge effect on trains to London should there be a Boxing Day fixture.
MPS added that there have been discussions about Boxing Day games and the police will not be putting in
any objections this year.
WHU do not have a view on Boxing Day games, however, it was noted that from a fans point of view there
is a feeling that games will never be played at the London Stadium on Boxing Day. This was categorically
confirmed by Karen Brady that West Ham United would not want to be out of the draw for Boxing Day.
Andy Sheldon (MPS) informed partners of the process for Boxing Day allocation which involves the WHUFC putting in a pre season fixture questionnaire and representations from the police based on intelligence are submitted to the Premier League, then in June there is a fixtures meeting when fixtures are allocated by computer with further discussions had based on these allocations.
WSC (Westfield) will duly consider any proposals going forward in terms of Boxing Day fixtures. CG (WSC) to put together their concerns in writing to SR (LBN).
SRO (LBN) requested both WSC and WHUFC put their concerns in writing to LBN as the new Green Guide Zone X could affect capacity on any Boxing Day fixture. If there were to be a game it would have a huge impact on capacity and it would also mean a new egress plan would need to be in place due to transport links.
SR (LBN) advised WSC to put together a plan addressing the NTH (North Ticket Hall. Underground exit on ground level by Marks & Spencer's) as well as the use of the bridge on Boxing Day.
Rest of minutes can be found at the link below:
https://www.newham.gov.uk/Documents/Bus ... pril19.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;