Birmingham City: police to target cocaine use during Blues’ game at Bristol City

Police will target drug use, including cocaine, during Birmingham City’s game against Bristol City at Ashton Gate tomorrow (5 March).

The Avon and Somerset Police operation is set to take place following several incidents of damage and violence, including vandalism of stadium toilets by Cardiff City supporters at the ground in January, the force said.

It will see officers swabbing surfaces throughout the stadium to test for the presence of prohibited substances such as cocaine, while nearby pubs will also be visited.

It comes after a reported rise in instances of disorder nationally.

Figures released last year also showed that Birmingham City had the most recorded new fans banned from its football matches in the 2020/21 season in England and Wales, the Home Office statistics show, with 27 orders - despite Covid restrictions limiting fan interaction last season.

They were followed by Liverpool with 17 fans banned.

Banning Orders are a measure imposed by a court following a football-related offence.

It aims to prevent violence or disorder at, or in connection, with regulated football matches.

Officers at Ashton Gate tomorrow will be swabbing surfaces throughout the stadium before and after the game to test for prohibited drugs, while also visiting pubs close to the ground.

A warning has also been issued over the use of flares.

Pyrotechnic devices have been discharged at seven games at Ashton Gate this season, resulting in a number of supporters being ejected and two arrested,

What have the force said about the operation?

Superintendent Mark Runacres, area commander for Bristol and our drug strategy lead, said: “It was only in January that we saw significant damage caused to the toilets in Ashton Gate’s Ateyo Stand during the game against Cardiff City, while two men have also recently been sentenced for violence following matches at Ashton Gate – one was fined for punching a police horse while the other was jailed for punching another a man to the floor.

“Those who take drugs such as cocaine are known to have a greater propensity for violence and the aim of the operation is identify how widespread such drug use is. The evidence we gather will then be used to inform policing operations at future football matches.

“While we won’t be proactively looking to test supporters themselves, if officers are concerned about the behaviour of any individuals then it will be something they’ll consider.”

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