The changes we’ve made since Hillsborough can never take away the seriousness of the police failures

 National Police Chiefs’ Council Chair, Chief Constable Sara Thornton said:

“Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those who lost loved ones in the tragic events at Hillsborough and have waited for this day for 27 years.

“The impact of the tragedy at Hillsborough was felt across policing. It has shaped how we police football matches because we are committed to doing all we can to prevent anything like this ever happening again.  Sadly the changes we have made since then can never take away from the seriousness of the police failures at Hillsborough and what that has meant for so many people over so many years.”

Further information:

While football policing, stadium safety and its regulation have moved on significantly,  we will be carefully reviewing the findings of the verdicts and will act on any further recommendations that will help keep people safe.  The subsequent police investigations into what happened at Hillsborough are subject to an ongoing Independent Police Complaints Commission inquiry – we are also committed to learning all we can from their findings.