In Scotland, police have welcomed publication of proposed legislation to tackle sectarian-related disorder around football in the country.
However while he described the SNP proposed law as an important step in the process, he added that ‘we cannot think that it is the solution to the problem’.<br><br>Speaking after the publication of the draft bill, ACC Campbell Corrigan, Strathclyde Police, said: "We welcome the publication of this legislation. We have worked with the Government throughout the process of its drafting and we are more than content that the offences cover all the issues that have caused so much concern to the public and embarrassment to our country.<br><br>"However, let me be absolutely clear. You do not solve a problem like this by arresting your way through it. In fact, arresting people should be a last resort. We should be doing everything we possibly can to eliminate the problem itself, not just relying on police officers and the courts to, hopefully, make it go away.<br><br>"It was for exactly this reason that we formed the Joint Action Group (JAG). We realised that the football clubs and authorities, government and the police all had a role to play. <br><br>"I believe that the elements of this problem that relate to football are best solved by football. Of course we will arrest people who break the law, but that is not a long term solution.<br><br>"We all understand that football clubs have traditions and that groups of fans feel strongly about them. However, football should be about football. Nothing else. That should be the message to the fans and to the wider world.<br><br>"This should not be about how many years in jail you might face or which songs are on a banned list. It should be about football standing up and saying that all the other issues, all the other baggage are not welcomed by their clubs. It should be about football saying that if you are the type of person who wants to use the game to express extreme views – be they religious, political or anything else – then you are not welcome.’ For more visit the Professional Security magazine news story –
