Sport events need high police presence
Almost 30,000 police officers were on anti-hooligan duty at Switzerland’s top football and ice hockey games last season, it has been revealed.
The Federal Police Office has confirmed a report by the Sunday newspaper SonntagsZeitung, saying that officers spent on average six hours on duty at football matches. Around 101 officers were needed per game in the Super League.
Fewer staff were needed at hockey matches in the top league – around 29 officers per match for 4.6 hours.
This makes 160,111 hours all together for both sports, police office spokeswoman Eva Zwahlen told the Swiss news agency.
According to the newspaper, the total cost of the fan-control measures in the 2009/2010 season was SFr27.5 million ($24 million), plus SFr3 million for post-match damage to trains. It said this was a record high.
Switzerland has been affected by hooliganism since the start of the 1980s and there have been concerns that fans have become more violent in recent years.
Last month more anti-hooliganism moves were announced. An accord was signed between cantonal governments or cities and the football association to set down who was responsible for measures such as security in and around stadiums.
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