Policing Operation as Reading fans travel to Oxford

Thames Valley Police will undertake a highly visible and robust policing operation for the match between Oxford United Football Club and Reading Football Club this Saturday.

Section 35 and 60 AA orders will be put in place as a preventative measure to ensure the safety of fans and local communities in the area.

Section 35 dispersal powers give officers and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) the power to disperse individuals and groups of people causing harassment, alarm or distress from the locality.

A Section 60 AA order gives an officer the power to require any person to remove an item which the officer reasonably believes the person intends to wear to conceal their identity. This can also include seizing that item.

Both orders will be in place from 8am until 8pm on Saturday in Oxford as well as Didcot. The specific areas are marked below:

Oxford:

Didcot:

In addition to this, a number of tactics such as the use of Football Spotters, Mounted Officers, Police Dogs and Drones will also be deployed to provide reassurance for our local communities.

Superintendent Adrian Hall, Tactical Commander for the policing operation said: “The majority of people attending this game will be there to enjoy the football and our officers will be there throughout the day and on hand to answer any questions or concerns you may have. Please feel free to approach them.

“We continue to work with both football clubs, our partners and local communities to ensure a safe operation and prevent those who pose a risk of anti-social behaviour from impacting on others.”

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