SYP was the primary driving force behind SWFC's initial application for a Safety Certificate under the SSGA 1975. It was then involved, as part of the OWP (and later the SSGAG), in discussions around the requirements of the Safety Certificate before it was issued.
The evidence shows that SYP officers continued to be involved in discussions around safety and stadium design. Following a crushing incident at the 1981 FA Cup Semi-Final, SYP expressed to SWFC the view that the capacity at the Leppings Lane end was too high. It also proposed the introduction of radial fences to divide the terrace into separate pens to assist with crowd control. The fences were introduced, but the capacity was not reviewed.
SYP was also instrumental in the installation of further fences in 1985 and the removal of parts of barrier 144, in 1986.
While these changes were proposed by SYP, they were then planned by SWFC and particularly Eastwood & Partners. The plans were considered by the OWP—of which SYP was a member—and agreed. The involvement of SYP within this process appears to have been appropriate and in keeping with expectations of the time.
Mr Cutlack observed that the removal of barrier 144 had a detrimental effect on safety. However, he commented that this should have been raised by the engineers and did not criticise SYP for suggesting it.
Both Eastwood & Partners and the SYCC principal surveyor have said that SYP offered to monitor the entrance to the pens from the central tunnel, as part of securing agreement for the changes to barrier 144. SYP officers have said they did not agree to any such duties, and police planning documents make no reference to any officers being allocated to this task.
SYP was also closely involved in a further proposal to redesign the Leppings Lane turnstile area. Mr Cutlack identified that the resulting plans, if implemented, could have averted the disaster or at least reduced its severity. However, the plans were deemed too expensive, and a less extensive change was made, which did not increase turnstile numbers and resulted in fewer turnstiles being available for entrance to the West Terrace.
Considered as a whole, the evidence gives the impression that SYP had an interest in the stadium layout, insofar as it affected the force’s ability to police matches effectively.
This also appears to have been the primary factor in SYP’s insistence that it would only agree to Hillsborough Stadium hosting the 1989 FA Cup Semi-Final if the same arrangements were used as in the previous year—despite the request from Liverpool Football Club to change the allocation of ends.
