Spectator Safety
Staffordshire County Council's Safety of Sports Grounds Team is working in partnership with other agencies and sports grounds officials towards safeguarding safety and wellbeing of Staffordshire spectators.
Background
Deaths and injuries at sports grounds have occurred in the UK on a regular basis since the beginning of the 20th century.
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2nd of January 1971 at Ibrox stadium in Glasgow 66 lives were lost in a crush of the infamous Stairway 13
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11th of May 1985 - The Bradford City Fire Disaster where the fire consumed one side of the Valley Parade stadium. 56 people lost their lives and 265 were injured
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15th of April 1989 - Hillsborough- 96 people died due to crush asphyxiation after being pressed against the fencing in pens 3 and 4 by the crowds swelling behind them
The Ibrox Disaster in 1971 lead to creation of The Safety of Sports Grounds Act in 1975, which has addressed the issue of stadia with high numbers of spectators (over 5 thousands people). In 1987 The Fire Safety and Safety of Places of Sports Act was introduced for smaller grounds of capacity of 500 spectators and which have seated or standing covered accommodation (so called regulated stands)
Both Acts have placed the control and power of enforcement with the Local Authority to ensure that the spectators safety standards are maintained.
Contact Us
For any advice and guidance on spectator safety or safety certification please contact:
Staffordshire County Council
Public Protection
Safety of Sports Grounds Team
Wedgewood Building
Tipping Street
Stafford
ST16 2DH
Telephone: 01785 277867
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