Top cop warns ‘minority’ in Red and Black Bloc: the flares have to stop
Rip a flare and you’ll be arrested. That’s the warning from the top cop in charge of Parramatta ahead of the first Sydney derby at the Wanderers’ new home at Bankwest Stadium.
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The police officer in charge of Western Sydney’s return to Parramatta has put “a small minority” of the Red and Black Bloc on notice ahead of the derby, after flares were lit on the march before the round one win over Central Coast.
Widely praised for his proactive work with Wanderers fans, Assistant Commissioner Mark Jones warned that police would arrest anyone who light flares before Saturday’s clash against Sydney FC at Bankwest Stadium.
Though Jones emphasised that behaviour inside the new stadium had been excellent, he expressed frustration over the ignition of flares during the march through Parramatta before both the Mariners game and the friendly with Leeds in July.
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Last month the avowed football fan praised the RBB after holding lengthy talks with the fans over the return to Parramatta, and admitted that police had previously “got it wrong” over their management of games.
But Jones has now made clear that their revamped approach could not extend to ignoring breaches of the law, and said his officers would have orders to arrest any fans who ignore the warnings.
“In a nutshell, the activities within the stadium have been good, and likewise our overall relationship with the fans has been good,” Jones told The Daily Telegraph.
“The vast majority have contributed to the atmosphere the right way, and we’re looking forward to the derby being a massive event.
“But the flares (on the march) have to stop. It’s really clear: we’re the police and letting them off isn’t on. These are marine flares, highly unsuitable for ignition in a crowd, and it’s something we can’t overlook It’s a question of community safety, quite apart from anything else.
“Lighting them is against the law and we have to take action, we have no choice, even if it’s a small minority. If my officers see it, they will arrest those who are breaking the law.
“Absolutely no one wants this, we really don’t want to have to step in, but we absolutely will if we have to.
“This should be a fantastic game of football, the Wanderers are playing well and the atmosphere will be fantastic. We just don’t need a few people spoiling it.”
Jones held scheduled talks with stadium management and club officials on Wednesday afternoon, to discuss the overall strategy for the game, and will take charge of Saturday night’s game himself.
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Fans are likely to be reminded that lighting a flare on the march, as well as in the stadium, carries not just a five-year ban from all football games, but also the potential of criminal sanctions including two years in jail and/or a $5000 fine.
Sydney FC’s fans group, The Cove, will stage its own march to the game, timed and directed to be well clear of the RBB approach to the stadium, with a sell-out crowd expected inside Bankwest Stadium itself.