Members of the Protective Services Scrutiny Committee meet on Monday 16 January (rearranged from 30 November) and one of the items on the agenda is an update regarding the policing of football in Sussex for the current 2011/2012 season.

The Force has been presented with significant policing challenges following the simultaneous promotion of Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club (BHAFC) to the Championship, and the club moving into their new AMEX Stadium, with a 22,500 capacity.

Police officer and steward capabilities have grown with each match and a high level of responsible confidence now exists. BHAFC contribute to the policing costs, and between 20 and 50 officers are deployed at the stadium depending on the categorisation of the match.

Spectator travel to the ground has presented the Force with considerable challenges. The local road networks have suffered significant disruption, particularly in relation to evening matches. Although short term measures have assisted, this remains a leading area of concern for all parties, and the club remain fully committed to resolving this.

The match against Crystal Palace Football Club presented particular demands on resources. Officers encountered high levels of aggression and in spite of this were highly effective in ensuring that disorder was quickly controlled, there was no serious damage and no one was seriously hurt.

Crawley Town Football Club also gained promotion to the Football League at the end of the 2010/2011 season. A Safety Advisory Group was assembled to ensure that all of the safety factors could be addressed to meet the Football League's strict criteria.

All policing inside the Broadfield Stadium is charged to the club at the national rate and is consistent with the agreement established in Brighton & Hove. There have been reductions in the number of incidents of disorder, even though gate numbers have dramatically increased.    

The positive approach demonstrated by the Force towards addressing these policing challenges has resulted in clubs from other parts of the country actively wishing to visit to seek these opportunities for good practice themselves.

To read the report in full and to view the other papers going to the Protective Services Scrutiny Committee click here. You can also watch the meeting live here by logging on at 2.00 pm on Monday.