A campaign to warn football fans about the dangers and penalties of smoke grenades, flares and fireworks – known as ‘pyros’ – has been launched in Northampton.
Nationally, say police, there is a growing trend of football supporters taking ‘pyros’ into matches in the belief their use creates a more exciting atmosphere and a ‘buzz’ around the ground.
In reality, the authorities point out, they pose a danger to everyone in the stadium and it is a criminal offence to enter or attempt to enter a stadium while in possession of fireworks, smoke grenades or other ‘pyro’ and to set them off in a public place.
PC Nick Price from Northamptonshire Police is hoping the campaign, which will include a ‘pyro amnesty’ trial at four games at Sixfields Stadium, the home of League Two club Northampton Town, will make supporters more aware of the potential dangers and the criminal consequences of using ‘pyros’, and stop people bringing them into the ground.
PC Price has been working on the campaign with lawyer Alison Gurden, a specialist in football supporter law and football policing from 1 Gray’s Inn Square Barristers’ Chambers, Northampton Town and Coventry City (who play their ‘home’ games at Sixfields) football clubs, the Football Supporters Federation and Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue.
PC Price said: “We’ve been increasingly concerned about the growing use of ‘pyros’ at football games across the country and, although we’ve only had a few incidents at Sixfields, we want to prevent more from happening.
“We need people to understand the potential dangers and also realise that possession and use of ‘pyros’ in a public place is a serious criminal offence that could even result in a prison sentence.
“We’ve noticed discussion on social media about the difference between a smoke grenade and a flare or firework. The general view of supporters appears to be that smoke grenades are a ‘bit of fun’ whereas there is a general acceptance that the use of flares in a stadium environment is dangerous. However, smoke grenades can also be dangerous and to set them off in a public place is illegal.
“It is also an offence for anyone under the age of 18 to be in possession of ‘pyro’ in a public place and there is some evidence to suggest young people are being bullied into taking smoke grenades into football games against their will.”
“If they are caught, they risk getting criminal record and even a caution will stay on their record, meaning it could affect their employment prospects for years to come.”
“We’ll be highlighting the law relating to the possession and use of ‘pyro’ at football matches, through leaflets and social media. And at four matches in April and May, we’ll be putting bins outside the stadium to allow supporters to safely dispose of any ‘pyro’ on a ‘no questions asked’ basis.”
In the 2012/13 season there was one incident of ‘pyro’ being used at a Northampton Town home game at and two at Coventry City home games. So far this season, there have been three incidents at Sixfields Stadium – one at a Northampton game and two at Coventry games.
The amnesty bins will be provided at Northampton Town games on 21 April and 3 May and at Coventry City games on 18 and 26 April. The results of the amnesty trial will help inform how police and football clubs deal with the use of ‘pyro’ at football matches.
