Social Media Practices by Police Football Units in England and Wales

• In Event: Community policing a digitalized society

Abstract

The policing of football matches remains deeply contested across the globe. To this end, numerous studies have emerged over the years that have attempted to show how the police can and should engage with fans. Many of these studies have pointed to the need for closer and more personal engagement between officers and fans, and the need to avoid, when possible, more authoritative and tougher policing models. In England and Wales, Police Forces have attempted to repair their relationship with fans through dedicated Police Football Units. Their role involves engaging with fans before, during, and after football matches to maintain their trust, whilst also ensuring their compliance in and around stadiums. Our study examined how five Police Football Units used the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) across the 2022/23 football season. In total, we analysed 1,027 posts. Our findings point to three key tactics. First, X was used by Police Football Units to communicate ‘softly’ with fans and by way of talking about congenial subject matter. Second, Police Football Units attempted to control the movement of fans on X. Third, X served instrumental outcomes for Police Football Units, as they sought to both prevent crime and further highlight that the police were equipped to deal with any disorder. Our paper finishes by discussing the implications of these tactics on where and how the police go from here to better engage with fans.

Authors

• Liam Ralph, Northumbria University

• Paul Robinson, Northumbria University

• Adam Aitken, University of Salford