The police introduce a tougher penalty zone around Brøndby Stadium

Western Copenhagen Police is introducing the temporary tougher penalty zone to prevent insecurity-causing criminal acts before, during and after the upcoming UEFA Europa Conference League football match between Brøndby IF and FC Basel at Brøndby Stadium on Thursday 8.30 pm.

 

A tougher penalty zone means that certain types of crime – for example violence, vandalism and serious disturbance of public order – committed in the zone can be punished with up to double the penalty.

 

"We work hard to ensure that football matches are a pleasant sporting event. Unfortunately, it is our experience that some matches turn an area that is peaceful on a daily basis into a conflict zone, because certain fan groups actively seek confrontations, violence and disturbances, and for the match on Thursday, in our estimation, risk fans from away and home teams will be present with associated risk of violence and trouble," says Chief Superintendent Mogens Lauridsen, Western Copenhagen Police.

 

At the latest UEFA Europa Conference League football match at Brøndby Stadium on Thursday 28 July, there were violent disturbances inside the stadium during the match itself and outside afterwards. The police had to step in with force several times, two officers had to go to the emergency room, and many more were subjected to violence and throwing fire.

First time with a tougher penalty zone at a football match

The Police Act allows the police to designate a delimited area as a tougher punishment zone, if an extraordinary crime scene significantly creates insecurity for the citizens who live and travel in the area, and the zone can help to restore security.

 

It is the first time that the police have introduced a tougher penalty zone in connection with a football match:

 

"We estimate that a stricter penalty zone will help create security for residents in the area, peaceful families and spectators who are going to this football match, and prevent unrest, violence and trouble," says Chief Superindendent Mogens Lauridsen.

 

In the zone, violence against spectators, volunteer stewards at the stadium and the police can be punished with up to twice as much.

The police can introduce a tougher penalty zone

According to Section 6a of the Police Act, the police can, for a specified period of time, designate a limited geographical area where the penalty for a number of criminal law offenses can be doubled according to Section 81c of the Criminal Code.

 

This includes, among other things, violence and physical attacks, threats, vandalism, arson, as well as violence and threats against officials, participation in fights or other serious disturbance of peace and order.

 

The zone applies here

The tougher penalty zone applies to the stadium and an area around the stadium bounded by Park Allé, Motorring 3, Holbæk motorway, Bygaden, Præstegårdsvej, Seminarievej, Bygaden and Park Allé.

 

See map

 

Act on police activities

§ 6 a. The police can, for a specified period of time, designate a defined geographical area (enhanced penalty zone) where § 81 c of the Criminal Code applies.

 

Section 2. Designation of a tougher punishment zone according to subsection 1 may occur if an extraordinary crime scene in the area in question is to a significant degree suitable for creating insecurity for people who live or travel in the area, and designation of a tougher penalty zone is considered to be a suitable tool to restore security in the area.

 

Section 3. A decision as mentioned in subsection 1 is taken by the director of police or the person he authorises for this purpose. The decision must be published and contain a justification and an indication of the limited geographical area and time period to which the decision applies.

 

The Criminal Code

§ 81 c. The penalty prescribed in this act's §§ 119, 123, 132 a, 132 b, 134 a and 181, § 244, subsection 1, § 244, subsection 1, cf. § 247, § 245, § 245, cf. § 247, § 266, § 285, subsection 1, cf. §§ 276, 276 a and 281, § 286, subsection 1, cf. §§ 276, 276 a and 281, § 287, subsection 1, cf. §§ 276, 276 a and 281, and §§ 288, 291, 293 and 293 a or in the legislation on euphoric substances, the legislation on weapons and explosives or the legislation on knives and edged weapons, can be increased up to double, if the offense has been committed within a tougher penalty zone designated pursuant to Section 6 a of the Act on Police Activities.

 

Section 2. When determining punishment for offenses not covered by subsection 1, it must generally be included as an aggravating circumstance if the offense is committed in an increased penalty zone designated pursuant to section 6 a of the Act on Police Activities and is suitable for creating insecurity in this zone.