West Ham United hooliganism cost London taxpayers more than £500,000 this year
London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) reports that “bad behaviour” at West Ham matches has resulted in a £500,000 bill this year, as per the BBC.
The LLDC are the corporation tasked with running the London Stadium site – which is controversially rented to West Ham for £4million a year.
During the London Assembly committee meeting this week, Lyn Garner from the LLDC revealed figures around policing and damage from hooliganism at the 66,000-capacity stadium.
The fee racked up to £500,000, but Garner revealed that West Ham weren’t made to pay for any of the costs, with that responsibility falling upon London taxpayers. [BBC]
Garner added that Premier League clubs reported an “uptick” in trouble after the end of Covid restrictions and that West Ham’s European qualification also added to stewarding costs.
Controversy
While West Ham fans certainly aren’t blameless in the £500,000 hooligan fee, much of the damage caused to the London Stadium itself has come from travelling supporters.
Back in October – when the Hammers lined up against Belgian club Anderlecht – riot police were forced to intervene after Anderlecht fans proceeded to rip out seats and throw them at home fans during the Europa Conference League clash.
Garner revealed that West Ham were made to pay for damage to the seating and stadium toilets, but were not required to pay for the extra costs of policing and stewarding now in place as a result of that match.
The overall matchday experience at the London Stadium has been an issue for West Ham since their stadium move back in 2016.
It’s an issue that Mark Noble has previously discussed, with the now sporting director claiming it was an “incredibly difficult transition” for both fans and players. [BBC 5 Live]
Hopefully, the hooliganism at the stadium is clamped down on soon and the club can carry on making the venue feel like home.