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Clubs in England and Wales are facing the possibility of massive increases in match day policing costs. In a move that could be the final blow for lower league clubs facing administration or financial hardship, the Association of Chief Police Officers (APCO) wants a standard scale of charges across the board. For some league clubs, this means that the cost of policing their matches will increase by more than 40 per cent. At present, clubs pay different sums per police officer, depending on which of the 43 forces in England and Wales they fall under, although clubs are charged for only officers deployed in the ground. Clubs policed by Merseyside Police are believed to be among the worst affected. The cost of policing matches for Liverpool, Everton and Tranmere Rovers is expected to rise by 43 per cent from September 1, although forces have been given up to three years to introduce any changes. Greater Manchester Police, by comparison, will not be increasing their charges as they are in line with the new guidelines so the Glazers will not face any extra bills. Some clubs, such as League Two's Barnet, will not be affected because they do not have their matches policed, but marshalled instead by stewards. The police view is that their charges do not cover the full cost of policing football as they do not meet the costs of placing police in nearby streets or at stations. Where clubs oppose charges, the police can recommend that the club should have its safety certificate removes which effectively means that they cannot stage matches.
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