Control Of Rugby Crowd

Press, Volume C, Issue 29604, 29 August 1961, Page 3

Control Of Rugby Crowd

Sir, —I would like to protest about the way the police handled the crowd at the test on an almost flat piece of embankment near stand 6. A policeman standing on the enclosure seats was shouting at spectators to go back, while three policemen joined hands and tried to force spectators towards the gate. A youth, who rightly protested, was held by two policemen and was told he might not see the game. Almost at the same, spot spectators were climbing on to a shed into stand 6. Police prevented this, only to do the same themselves. from where they viewed the. game. If the police and the law are to be respected, may I suggest, they should be equipped with radios and stationed on the embankment, and report to the gates, where the crowd should be controlled. Threats and humiliation from policemen should not be part of the price ( of admission.— (Yours, etc., * . CITIZEN. August 24, 1961. [The Chief Superintendent of Police (Mr C. L. Spencer) said: “The police were endeavouring to carry out arrangements which had been made in conference with the park official prior to the match and if there were threats and humiliation as alleged by the writer, I would be pleased if he would come and see me. I am aware of the presence of the constables on the roof mentioned and they were there for a specific purpose.”]