THE cost of policing Cherries matches has soared by 50 per cent in two years, new figures show.
Dorset Police spent £89,000 during the 2019/20 season policing AFC Bournemouth’s matches home and away.
At the time, the club had been relegated to the Championship from the Premier League but regained its place in the top league after finishing as runners-up to Fulham in 2021/22.
This, Dorset Police has said, is the reason why for the 2022/23 season the force spent £134,564 policing matches – an increase of 50 per cent.
Dorset Police’s spokeswoman said: “The increase in costs in 2022/23 coincides with when AFC Bournemouth returned to the Premier League after being promoted. The club requested an increase in assistance, which was provided by the force.
“AFC Bournemouth paid for the costs and continues to cover all policing costs under Special Police Services (SPS).”
According to an FOI, the amount Dorset Police charged AFC Bournemouth for policing some of its home games totals £720,000 since the 2016/17 season.
This includes £149,915 for 2023/24, £81,224 in 2021/22 and, when there were lockdowns and no games, £3,707 in 2020/21.
All amounts are net and do not include VAT which would have been charged at the appropriate rate, the FOI said.
The spokeswoman added: “Public safety at football matches is the prime concern of Dorset Police and we will work with football clubs in our county to assess the threat and risk to all individuals attending a game.
“Some football matches are assessed as requiring specific policing resources, including public order trained officers and staff.
“Dorset Police works closely with AFC Bournemouth to ensure that the required resources are provided for inside the ground.”
Home Office figures show police arrested seven AFC Bournemouth supporters throughout the 2022/23 campaign – up from four the season before.
Three of these arrests were made for possessing class A drugs.
Nationally, 2,264 football-related arrests were made, up from what was already an eight-year high of 2,198 in the previous campaign.
The National Police Chiefs Council said the police "are continuing to take positive action" to reduce a rising trend in disorder at football matches.
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