Another report on the Foregate Street saga

This report about the troubles at Foregate Street last weekend comes from the Birmingham Mail.

A FOOTBALL fan has slammed police who sprayed CS gas at supporters, including children.

Police say they were called to Foregate Street train station, Worcester, because of clashes between Kidderminster Harriers and Hereford United fans.

But Malvern nurse Tony Irvine, aged 49, said there had been no sign of trouble and that the officers behaved wholly inappropriately and despicably.

"Fans from both sides were having a good banter on the train, and there was no ill feeling whatsoever.

"The next thing we knew we were being herded off the train at Foregate Street and before we had chance to find out why, the police were spraying CS gas at everyone.

"My eyes were burning and running, but my main concern was for the children who were terrified by the ordeal.

"I tried to see that they were medically all right and calm them down.

"I was absolutely furious that we were treated this way when there was no sign of trouble."

The Aston Villa fan, who attended the match with his friend, a Hereford supporter, is now considering making a formal complaint.

"They behaved wholly inappropriately, and in my mind, they seemed hell-bent on using CS gas in a situation that certainly didn't call for it by any stretch of the imagination."

Mr Irvine, of Sherards Green Road, Malvern, added: "There had been no sign of trouble on the way to the match, during it, or on the way home."

A West Mercia Police spokesman said there were genuine supporters and other rail users on the train after 1-1 draw last Saturday at Aggborough, Kidderminster.

"By briefly preventing members of the public entering the station, and by containing the trouble-makers on the platform, we were able to maintain the safety of the public and other travellers."

The spokesman said CS gas was used and no arrests were made.

"The behaviour of a small number of trouble-making fans was deplorable, and our prime concern was to ensure the safety of other rail travellers and members of the public and to see that the problems created by these hooligans did not spread."

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