WILLIAM CAMERON CRAWFORD POLICE INSPECTOR - SOUTH YORKSHIRE POLICE Inspector CRAWFORD ...hillsborough.independent.gov.uk/repository/docs/SYP... · · 2012-11-19POLICE INSPECTOR

WILLIAM CAMERON CRAWFORD

POLICE INSPECTOR - SOUTH YORKSHIRE POLICE

Inspector CRAWFORD was a Sergeant on 15 April 1989 and was in charge of the

serial immediately behind exit gate 'C'. He was under the command of

Inspector WHITE and was on duty in the same area for the 1988 Semi-Final.

None of his evidence relevant to this presentation is in the form of a

C.J.A. Statement.

SUMMARY OF EVIDENCE AVAILABLE

POLICE OFFICERS QUESTIONNAIRE - Of no evidential value, signed but not dated.

R 170 & R 170(amended) - R 170 is the original recollection of this officer,

handwritted on plain paper, it is signed and dated on the last page only,

28 April 1989. The amended version is a typed copy of the original document

with his recollections of closing off the tunnel in 1988 removed. This

later document is initialled on the front page only and is not dated.

R 170A - A further recollection regarding the closing of the tunnel in 1988.

It is signed but not dated.

S 1354 - West Midlands copy of document R 170(amended). This document is

signed but not dated.

TRANSCRIPT OF EVIDENCE GIVEN TO THE LORD JUSTICE TAYLOR INQUIRY - 32 pages

TRANSCRIPT OF EVIDENCE GIVEN TO THE RESUMED INQUEST - 53 pages

POLICE OFFICERS QUESTIONNAIRE RE ACTION OR

DUTIES AT HILLSBOROUGH SEMI-FINAL 15.4.89

Toêtr lnsp/In3p/Srrgf*an1~/f*o n cl'*~ / n p n m Const .. 4 ..

Were you involved in any way with events leading up to, during, or following the occasion of the Liverpool/Nottingham Forest emi-Final at Hillsborough on 15.4.89? YES/^>

Were you engaged on pre-arranged duties on that date? YES/4®If YES state what duties and where carried out.

Were you off duty and attending the Sheffield Wednesday Football Ground as a spectator?

Were you off duty and attended either at the Ground or any Police Station, Hospital, etc, in response to any police appeal or media broadcast? Y^/NO If YES please specify

Did you attend at the Ground or any other location for any other reason? YB8/N0 If YES please specify

If involved in any way, give brief details of your input into the events of that day.

S'K.PsAsJrtiMC, Cyx '(ur.'M s-tvu-X!*.

Signature

Name/Rank/No

THIS QUESTIONNAIRE MUST BE COMPLETED AND RETURNED TO THE INCIDENT ROOM, HAMMERTON ROAD POLICE STATION, BY 18.4.89. THE QUESTIONNAIRES OF OFFICERS ON ANNUAL LEAVE MUST BE COMPLETED ON THEIR RETURN TO DUTY.

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2.&-1*— (


POLICE SERGEANT 1341

/ ' Y *

HIGH PRIORITY

5 I 35

BARNSLEY DIVISIONAL HEADQUARTERS

At 9*00 am on Saturday 15 April 1989, I reported at Barnsley Divisional

Headquarters together with a number of Police Constables also from the same

rota. Our scale of duty was weekly leave but we had volunteered to work the

match.

I was in charge of serial 14 which was made up from the following officers

PS 13^1 Crawford

PC 136 Smallman

PC 1278 Lang

PC 1002 Wild

PC 2819 McManus

PC 2887 Grant

PC 1777 Branston

PC 2806 Butler

PC 975 Washington

PC 3232 Burton

PC 3347 Thomas

Police Constable 1278 Lang and Police Constable 33^7 Thomas replaced Police

who wereConstable and annualand Police Constable

leave respectively.

We left Barnsley Divisional Headquarters at 9.15 am and arrived at

Hillsborough Football Ground at approximately 9.^0 am.

At 10.00 am this date, I attended the main briefing in the North Stand with

my serial where we were briefed by Chief Superintendent Duckenfield and

Inspector Sewell. I also met Inspector White, *F * Division, who was in

command of serials 13 and 14 at the Leppings Lane end.

After a refreshments break, I reported to Leppings Lane end with my serial

at 11.00 am where we were briefed again by Inspector White who also covered

the emergency procedure. In the event of an emergency, Police Constable 975

Washington was to be deployed in the central tunnel.

Our terms of reference was the searching of fans coming through turnstiles

A-G at the rear of the West Stand, Leppings Lane end inside the ground, for

alcohol, weapons, etc.

We were in position at 11.15 am.

Several fans had started drifting into the ground by this time and I noticed

that there was about six fans in the centre North pen.

From then on until approximately 2.00 pm, there was a gradual increase of

fans coming into the ground. The majority were good humoured and friendly.

There was no problems at this stage, but I did notice a number of supporters

outside the turnstiles attempting to enter the ground without a ticket. I

saw money offered to several turnstile operators when I was present. When

that happened, the fans did an about turn and mingled with the other

supporters who were queueing in an orderly manner outside. A few supporters

without tickets jumped the turnstiles and were ejected.

Approximately at 2.00 pm, I deployed Police Constable 3232 Burton to

supervise the programme sellers behind us because of the hassel from the

supporters. Police Constable 1002 Wild was deployed at the snack bar at the

rear of the West Stand also to supervise a number of fans.

■ft

- 3 -

Between 2.00 - 2.30 pm, it was obvious there was a fairly large number of

fans outside the turnstiles without tickets. During this time I was paying

particular attention to the turnstiles, when it became apparent that a

number of operators were taking payment. I therefore flitted between A-G

turnstiles, with a view to catching them out. There were no real problems

at this time.

About 2.30 pm there was a large number of fans coming through the

turnstiles, many of whom had been drinking but were not drunk.

Several cans of beer and lager had been 'binned' in the litter basket on

entry. The mood of the majority of fans had changed and they were becoming

more aggressive. The smell of drink was becoming more apparent.

At this time, I noticed radio reception was 'poor' and virtually non

existent. I was not in a position to receive any messages because of

interference on the radio and also crowd noise, which by this time had been

increased tremendously.

Our serial Inspector, Inspector White, was not present from 2.30 pm and I

did not see him until about 3-30 pm.

I was unable to estimate the number of fans on entering the ground who came

to me and said, "Someone is going to get killed out there". A lot more were

abusive and threatening. The mood worsened between 2.30 - 2.45 pm. There

appeared to be a number of fans having difficulty getting through the

turnstiles because of the sheer weight of the supporters. I did not

consider the seven turnstiles adequate for the volume and I did notice

which was the one closest to Gateturnstile had difficulty in

operating. On closer examination, I saw that it was a double turnstile

which was separated by a dividing wooden partition. Bolted on to the

- 4 -

partition was large wooden blocks directly facing the turnstiles to prevent

illegal entry. The sheer weight on this partition had distorted it and the

blocks had jammed against the turnstiles making them inoperative. A number

of fans had climbed over or under the turnstiles at the point.

There also appeared to be some difficulty with turnstile A Police

Officer who was on duty outside turnstile 'G' was in danger of getting

crushed and I pulled him over the turnstile into the ground.

I was subjected to threats and obscenities from a number of Liverpool fans

who were shouting, "Get fucking out there and get something done before

someone gets killed". Their mood was aggressive and it was obvious they had

been drinking.

A large number of approximately twenty fans had climbed over the perimeter

wall onto the turnstile roof. Several were caught and ejected. Whilst

ejecting one of these fans I saw a fattish Liverpool supporter hand a bundle

of ticket stubs to one of the fans on the turnstile roof, who in turn threw

them down to the crowd at the other side of the perimeter wall.

About 2.45 pm, Gate 'C' opened and about fifty fans burst through the gate.

I ran to the gate with Police Constable 1278 Lang and managed to secure the

gate, together with the stewards.

Despite losing radio contact, I was aware that the situation was being

monitored by the CCTV camera positioned in the South side of the West Stand.

The noise was tremendous, the mood of the fans near kick off time was

getting worse as they came through the turnstiles, many of whom would have

been ejected normally for their attitude caused through drink, but the

situation at this stage was not practicable.

Suddenly, Gate 'C' appeared to burst open again, approximately 2.50 pm -

2.55 pm, a large number of fans ran through into the centre tunnel of the

Leppings Lane end.

It was noticeable at this time that the situation had quietened down

considerably.

Shortly after 3*00 pm, there was a radio/tannoy message that all officers

were required on the perimeter track.

I took my serial onto the perimeter track via the rear of the Police Control

into the South Stand and over the wall. I instructed them to stay together

as a serial because of the number of Police Officers who were on the field

at that time and I went straight to perimeter fence at pen 3- I saw a large

bunch of people piled on top of each other against the wall and up against

the security fencing. The number 3 gate was partially open and had been

wedged by a number of bodies. It was apparent that the situation was

serious at this stage and speed was essential. I was unable to get through

the gate because of the bodies, therefore, I climbed onto the security

fencing and pulled several fans from the mass and over the fencing, together

with my serial. The majority of these appeared in shock but were conscious.

I then went to the gate with Chief Superintendent Nesbit where, with

difficulty, managed to pull a number of bodies away from the gate until it

could be opened fully.

We organised a chain of officers and dragged a great number of bodies from

this area. Where there was a sign of life by checking the cartoid artery, I

attempted resuscitation and cardiac massage.

My serial was engaged in resuscitation and care of the bodies on the field.

I organised a number of Liverpool fans as stretcher bearers and they removed

the bodies to the gymnasium.

A number of officers on my serial, ie, Police Constable 2887 Grant, Police

Constable 2819 McManus, Police Constable 1278 Lang, all were instructed to

remain with the bodies.

During the whole incident on the field I was not subjected to threats or

abuse, but I did see a number of flare-ups mainly by fans who had been

drinking and were wandering about aimlessly. This was understandable under

the circumstances. I did see a number of coins being thrown onto the field.

A lot of Police Officers, St John's Ambulancemen, were engaged in

resuscitation. Many were shouting for oxygen, which was not forthcoming.

Initially, my feelings were of frustration because I was unable to get to

the people because of the security fencing. Perhaps if I could have, we may

have been able to save a lot more lives. The actual gates were wholly

inadequate simply because there was not enough and the ones which are there

are too small.

When the ground was eventually emptied, I escorted the Liverpool fans with

my serial out the Leppings Lane end to the main roundabout on Penistone Road

before returning to the gymnasium, where three officers on my serial were

involved in the sudden death reports.

At 7-20 pm, I returned to Claywheels Lane where some of the serial had a

meal as we waited transportation to Barnsley. Police Constable 2887 Grant

was the only officer still engaged at that time with his 'body'.

At 8.00 pm I retired from duty.

Understandably, a number of my serial were upset by the situation but all

credit to them they did not show their emotion during the incident and all

performed creditably.

* /)£ / ~ 7 < $


POLICE SERGEANT 13^1


At 9-00 am on Saturday 15 April 1989. I reported at Barnsley Divisional



match.


PS 13^1 Crawford

PC 136 Smallman

PC 1278 Lang

PC 1002 Wild

PC 2819 McManus

PC 2887 Grant

PC 1777 Branston

PC 2806 Butler

PC 975 Washington

PC 3232 Burton

PC 33^7 Thomas


Constable and Police Constable who were and annualand Police Constable who were

leave respectively.

We left Barnsley Divisional Headquarters at 9.15 am and arrived at

Hillsborough Football Ground at approximately 9-^0 am.



Inspector Sewell. I also met Inspector White, *F ' Division, who was in



at 11.00 am where we were briefed again by Inspector White who also- covered





















- 3 -






at this time.



Several cans of beer and lager had been 'binned' in the litter basket on



At this time, I noticed radio reception was 'poor' and virtually non





did not see him until about 3.30 pm.







which was the one closest to Gateturnstile had difficulty in



_ 4 -






Officer who was on duty outside turnstile 'G' was in danger of getting




someone gets killed”. Their mood was aggressive and it was obvious they had

been drinking.

















Leppings Lane end.


considerably.

Shortly after 3.00 pm, there was a radio/tannoy message that all officers





at that time and I went straight to perimeter fence at pen 3- I saw a large
























A lot of Police Officers, St John’s Ambulancemen, were engaged in






are too small.





At 7.20 pm, I returned to Claywheels Lane where some of the serial had a


was the only officer still engaged at that time with his ’body’.





^ /-7«£i AWILLIAM CAMERON CRAWFORD

POLICE SERGEANT 13 VI

Divisional Headquarters ,Barnsley,

NOTTINGHAM FORE, /ERPOOL F.A. CUP SEMI FINAL

SATURDAY, 9th April,1988,

On Saturday,the 9th April,1988, 1 was detailed to perform duties in respect

of the F.A.Cup Semi-Final between Nottingham Forest and Liverpool at Hillsborough

Football Ground, Sheffield*

I was paxt of the Police contingent from the Barnsley Srvii Sub Division which

consisted of two serials those being Serials 11 and 13• There was as Inspector in charge

of Sach serial ours being Inspector Hooley. My serial was made up of the Following;

B66i

PS 13^1 Crawford PC 3198 Akred PC 2083 Backer PC 1002 Wild PC 2502 Kilby PC 2102 Eustis $826226 Simpsonre IPC 12?8 Lang PC PC

The serial was paraded at OS'+J that date and conveyed to Hillsborough by Force

Coach arriving at 0930. At 1000 1 was briefed in the North Stand before taking up actual

duties at the rear of the West Stand. 1 had deployed the officers in pairs. PC s|______

and were depl|red at the bottom of the stairs leading to the seated area

in. the West stand directly opposite Turnstiles 1-16?. PC's 12?8 Lang and_______were

deployed,at the entrance to the West stand and nearest the Centre tunnel opposite

turnstiles A-G; The remainder of the serial were on general public order patrol in the

bar concourse in the West Stand and also the area behind the Leppings Lane end inside the

ground.

The general behaviour and attitude of the fans on this date was very good with

the majority in the ground well before kick off time at 1500* 1 do recall some of the

fans had been drinking and were in a good humour.This was not a problem.

The only problem we did encounter was the number of Liverpool fans with tickets

for the terracing who attempted to get into the seated area of the west Stand by using

tickets passed down to them by the fans in the Stand. We had anticipated this and the

iour officers assisting the stewards at both entrances tore the corner of the tickets

ob entrance to the West Stand so that they would know if the tickets had been, passed

or to the Leppings % n e terraces. This did not cause any prob1gm «pcepted

.« . *

% ' * 2*

* wfLLIAM CAMERON CRAWFORD

their plan had been ’rumbled*.

At 1^.50 hours we had an instruction believed verbal, that no more fans were to

be allowed in the central pens therefore the wooden gate at the rear of the tunnel was

closed denying access. This was done by PC 1278 Lang.

The game took place without incident and there was no arrsts by my serial.

On conclusion of the game my serial supervised the fans leaving the ground and

eventually we were deployed to remain at the junction with Catchbar Lane. The fans had been

orderly and good humoured throughout the afternnoon not one member of my serial had cause

to intervene, either before,during or after the match.


POLICE INSPECTOR - SOOTH YORKSHIRE POLICE

Inspector CRAWFORD was a Sergeant on 15 April 1989 and was in charge of the

serial immediately behind exit gate ’C ’. He was under the command of

Inspector WHITE and was on duty in the same area for the 1988 Semi-Final.

None of his evidence relevant to this presentation is in the form of a

C.J.A. Statement.

SUMMARY OF EVIDENCE AVAILABLE

POLICE OFFICERS QUESTIONNAIRE - Of no evidential value, signed but not dated.

R 170 & R 170(amended) - R 170 is the original recollection of this officer,

handwritted on plain paper, it is signed and dated on the last page only,

28 April 1989. The amended version is a typed copy of the original document

with his recollections of closing off the tunnel in 1988 removed. This

later document is initialled on the front page only and is not dated.

R 170A - A further recollection regarding the closing of the tunnel in 1988.

It is signed but not dated.

S 1354 - West Midlands copy of document R 170(amended). This document is

signed but not dated.

TRANSCRIPT OF EVIDENCE GIVEN TO THE LORD JUSTICE TAi, R INQUIRY - 32 pages

TRANSCRIPT OF EVIDENCE GIVEN TO THE RESUMED INQUEST - 53 f

J

POLICE OFFICERS QUESTIONNAIRE RE ACTION OR

DUTIES AT HILLSBOROUGH SEMI-FINAL 15.4.89

To<Ch—-Incp/Ingp/Sergeant/Coiiul/Dpiiiiial Cmist . .

Were you involved in any way with events leading up to, during, or following the occasion of the Liverpool/Nottingham Forest 'Semi-Final at Hillsborough on 15.4.89? YES/&

Were you engaged on pre-arranged duties on that date? YES/4iPIf YES state what duties and where carried out.

S ’PvFSAiA'MiM «Vt i-lVu.T.v. Q—Cr _

Were you off duty and attending the Sheffield Wednesday Football Ground as a spectator? ¥Sj§^NO

Were you off duty and attended either at the Ground or any Police Station, Hospital, etc, in response to any police appeal or media broadcast? Y1E&/N0 If YES please specify

Did you attend at the Ground or any other location for any other reason? YB1/N0 If YES please specify

If involved in any way, give brief details of your input into events of that day.

«J afeouliw* . tj'-O- yJU». eivc*,-, e* t ctov«_o-~JL raeujl«l c ojLsl , $.o.0n.uv»\'C. r Ulj- J wkjv~jT *». OU. Cc*oJ\ yv>-\ h ,

' '■W ojJ w ^ hi act ^

^ K v A j Q a P i - » V i M e ^ W S i \ ^

Signatureo x y n a L U i c . 1 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ._ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ \ / " V * . . . . . . . . . . . . * . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Name/Rank/No . . . i . . ' . ( j ^ V jt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

THIS QUESTIONNAIRE MUST BE COMPLETED AND RETURNED TO THE INCIDENT ROOM, HAMMERTON ROAD POLICE STATION, BY 18.4.89. THE QUESTIONNAIRES OF OFFICERS ON ANNUAL LEAVE MUST BE COMPLETED ON THEIR RETURN TO DUTY.

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POLICE SERGEANT 13^1


At 9-00 am on Saturday 15 April 1989. I reported at Barnsley Divisional



match.


PS 13*U Crawford

PC 136 Smallman

PC 1278 Lang

PC 1002 Wild

PC 2819 McManus

PC 2887 Grant

PC 1777 Branston

PC 2806 Butler

PC 975 Washington

PC 3232 Burton

PC 3347 Thomas


Constable who were and annualand Police Constable

leave respectively.

We left Barnsley Divisional Headquarters at 9-15 am and arrived at

Hillsborough Football Ground at approximately 9-^0 am.



Inspector Sewell. I also met Inspector White, 'F' Division, who was in



at 11.00 am where we were briefed again by Inspector White who also- covered





















Between 2.00 - 2.30 pm , it was obvious there was a fairly large number of




turnstiles, m t h a view to catching them out. There were no real problems

at this time.


turnstiles, nany of whom had been drinking but were not drunk.

Several cans of beer and lager had been ’binned’ in the litter basket on

entry. The aood of the majority of fans had changed and they were becoming


At this tine, I noticed radio reception was ’poor’ and virtually non



increased tresendously.


did not see M m until about 3-30 pm.




appeared to l>e a number of fans having difficulty getting through the



had difficulty inturnstile which was the one closest to Gate

operating. Ofa closer examination, I saw that it was a double turnstile

which was separated by a' dividing wooden partition. Bolted on to the






Officer who was on duty outside turnstile ’G ’ was in danger of getting





been drinking.






About 2.45 pm, Gate ’C ’ opened and about fifty fans burst through the gate.









Suddenly, Gate *C’ appeared to burst open again, approximately 2.50 pm -


Leppings Lane end.


considerably.






at that time and I went straight to perimeter fence at pen 3. I saw a large






























are too small.







was the only officer still engaged at that time with his ’body’.





4 ' . *«•

:• '


POLICE SERGEANT 1341

Divisional Headquarters , Barnsley#

NOTTINGHAM FOREST - v - LIVERPOOL F.A. CUP SEMI FINAL

SATURDAY . 9 t h April,1 9 8 8 .

On Saturday,the 9th April,1988, I was detailed to perform duties in respect

of the F.A.Cup Semi-Final between Nottingham Forest and Liverpool at Hillsborough

Football Ground, Sheffield.

I was part of the Police contingent from the Barnsley fixvi Sub Division which

consisted of two serials those being Serials 11 and 13. There was an Inspector in charge

of Sach serial ours being Inspector Hooley. My serial was made up of the Following;

66£ial 13

PS 13^1 Crawford PC 3198 Akred PC 2083 Packer PC 1002 Wild PC 2502 Kilby PC 2102 Eustis 1626226 Simpson PC PC PC PC

The serial was paraded at 08^5 that date and conveyed to Hillsborough by Force

Coach arriving at 0930. At 1000 I was briefed in the North Stand before taking up actual

duties at the rear of the West Stand, I had deployed the officers in pairs. PC s

and___________ were deplêd at the bottom of the stairs leading to the seated area

in the West stand directly opposite Turnstiles 1-16:. PC's 12?8 Lang a n d w e r e

deployed,at the entrance to the West stand and nearest the Centce tunnel opposite

turnstiles A-G; The remainder of the serial were on general public order patrol in the

bar concourse in the West Stand and also the area behind the Leppings âne end inside the

ground.

The general behaviour and attitude of the fans on this date was very good with

the majority in the ground well before kick off time at 1500. I do recall some of the

fans had been drinking and were in a good humour. This was not a problem.

The only problem we did encounter was the number of Liverpool fans with tickets

for the terracing who attempted to get into the seated area of the west Stand by using

tickets passed down to them by the fans in the Stand. We had anticipated this and the

four officers assisting the stewards at both entrances tore the corner of the tickets

on entrance to the West Stand so that they would know if the tickets had been passed

on to the Leppings i&ne terraces. This did not cause any problem a n d th P f a n s accepted

1278 Iang

♦

w £lJ[AM CAMERON CRAWFORD

2

their plan had been 'rumbled'.

At 14.50 hours we had an instruction believed verbal, that no more fane were to

be allowed in the central pens therefore the wooden gate at the rear of the tunnel was

closed denying access. This was done by PC 1278 Lang.

The game took place without incident and there was no arrsts by my serial.

On conclusion of the game my serial supervised the fans leaving the groung and

eventually we were deployed to remain at the junction with Catchbar Lane. The fans had been

orderly and good humoured throughout the afternnoon not one member of my serial had cause

to intervene, either before,during or after the match.

WILLIAM CAMERON CRAWFORDHIGH PRIORITY

5 135 uPOLICE SERGEANT 1341 ^


At 9.00 am on Saturday 15 April 1989, I reported at Barnsley Divisional



match.


PS 1341 Crawford

PC 136 Smallman

PC 1278 Lang

PC 1002 Wild

PC 2819 McManus

PC 2887 Grant

PC 1777 Branston

PC 2806 Butler

PC 975 Washington

PC 3232 Burton

PC 3347 Thomas

Police Constable 1278 Lang and Police Constable 3347 Thomas replaced Police

Constable and Police Constable who were and annual

leave respectively.

We left Barnsley Divisional Headquarters at 9*15 am and arrived at

Hillsborough Football Ground at approximately 9*40 am.



Inspector Sewell. I also met Inspector White, 'F' Division, who was in



at 11.00 am where we were briefed again by Inspector White who also covered





















ft

- 3 -






at this time.



Several cans of beer and lager had been ’binned’ in the litter basket on



At this time, I noticed radio reception was ’poor' and virtually non





did not see him until about 3*30 pm.







turnstile |, which was the one closest to Gate , had difficulty in



t _ n _






Officer who was on duty outside turnstile ’G ’ was in danger of getting





been drinking.

















Leppings Lane end.


considerably.






at that time and I went straight to perimeter fence at pen 3. I saw a large






























are too small.







was the only officer still engaged at that time with his 'body'.





WILLIAM CAMERON CRAWFORD - INSPECTOR PAGE 1

I am an Inspector in the South Yorkshire Police.

On 15 April 198 9 when I was a uniformed Sergeant I performed

duty at Hillsborough Football Stadium on the occasion of the

semi final match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest. I was

in charge of Serial 14 which with Serial 13 headed by Sergeant

was under the command of Inspector White.

I had performed duty at Hillsborough Football Stadium on many

previous occasions. In particular I was on duty for the 1988

semi final. On that occasion I was in charge of a serial that

was responsible for the West Stand seating area. One of the

officers of my service then, Constable Lang, had been deployed

at the steps leading from the concourse behind turnstiles A - G

to the seating. His role had been to assist Stewards examining

seating tickets but his location being close to the blue wooden

gates at the entrance to the tunnel near the stand had led him

at one stage to close one half of the gate for a period from

about 2.45 pm, I do not know how long this was for, to assist in

the prevention of further persons going down the tunnel into

pens 3 and 4, I presume because of congestion in those pens. I

was aware that Police Constable Lang did this although it was

not as a result of my ordering him to do so. I believe that he

did it as a result of his being ordered to this by a supervisory

officer at least Inspector rank. I am unable to say which

officer gave the order or whether it was done orally or via the

radio. I have a recollection, as I told the Inquest, of going


to see Constable Lang to ensure he had carried out the order so

that tends to indicate that I heard the order being given so it

probably was given via the radio.

After the match I did not include this occurrence in my

debriefing notes as I did not consider it to be relevant.

On 15 April 1989 I was present at the briefings given by Chief

Superintedent Duckenfield and Superintendent Murray and to his

two serials by Inspector White. I did not mention the closure

of the tunnel in 1988 at any of these briefings and nor did

Constable Lang who was one of the officers making up my serial

in 1989.

M y serial, in accordance with the operational order published

for the match, had specific responsibilites. In phase one prior

to kick off these were to ensure that supporters entering

through turnstiles A - G were not in possession of prohibited

items (banners, missiles, weapons, alcohol) and also to ensure

order was maintained on the terraces.

We were in position at 11.15 am on the concourse at the rear of

turnstiles A - G.

Several fans had started drifting into the ground by this time

and I noticed that there was about six fans in the centre North

p e n .

From then on until approximately 2.00 pm, there was a gradual

increase of fans coming into the ground. The majority were good

humoured and friendly. There was no problems at this stage, but


I did notice a number of supporters outside the turnstiles

attempting to enter the ground without a ticket. I saw money

offered to several turnstile operators when I was present. When

that happened, the fans did an about turn and mingled With the

other supporters who were queuing in an orderly manner outside.

A few supporters without tickets jumped the turnstiles and were

ejected. Approximately at 2.00 pm, I deployed Police Constable

3232 Burton to supervise the programme sellers behind us because

of the hassle from the supporters. Police Constable 1002 Wild

was deployed at the snack bar at the rear of the West Stand also

to supervise a number of fans.

Between 2.00 - 2.30 pm, it was obvious there was a fairly large

number of fans outside the turnstiles without tickets. During

this time I was paying particular attention to the turnstiles,

when it became apparent that a number of operators were taking

payment. I therefore flitted between A - G turnstiles, with a

v i e w to catching them o u t . There were no real problems at this

time.

About 2.30 pm there was a large number of fans coming through

the turnstiles, many of w h o m had been drinking but were not

drunk. Several cans of beer and lager had been 'binned' in the

litter basket on entry. The mood of the majority of fans had

changed and they were becoming more aggressive. The smell of

drink was becoming more a p p a r e n t . At this time, I noticed radio

reception was 'poor' and virtually non existent. I was not in a


position to receive any messages because of interference on the

radio and also crowd noise, which by this time had increased

tremendously.

Our serial Inspector, Inspector White, was not present from 2.30

pm and I did not see him again until about 3.30 pm.

I was unable to estimate the number of fans on entering the

ground who came to me and said, "Someone is going to get killed

out there." A lot more were abusive and threatening. The mood

worsened between 2.30 - 2.45 pm. There appeared to be a number

of fans having difficulty getting through the turnstiles because

of the sheer weight of the supporters. I did not consider the

seven turnstiles adequate for the volume and I did notice

turnstile which was the one closest to Gate had

difficulty in operating. On closer examination, I saw that it

was a double turnstile which was separated by a dividing wooden

Partition. Bolted on to the partition was large wooden blocks

directly facing the turnstiles to prevent illegal entry. The

sheer weight on this partition had distorted it and the blocks

had jammed against the turnstiles making them inoperative. A

number of fans had climbed over or under the turnstiles at the

p o i n t .

There also appeared to be some difficulty with turnstile

Police Officer who was on duty outside turnstile 'G1 was in

danger of getting crushed and I pulled him over the turnstile

into the ground. I was subjected to threats and obscenities

A


from a number of Liverpool fans who were shouting, "Get fucking

out there and get something done before someone gets killed."

Their mood was aggressive and it was obvious they had been

drinking.

A large number of approximately twenty fans had climbed over the

perimeter wall onto the turnstile roof. Several were caught and

ejected. Whilst ejecting one of these fans I saw a fattish

Liverpool supporter hand a bundle of ticket stubs to one of the

fans on the turnstile r o o f , who in turn threw them down to the

crowd at the other side of the perimeter wall.

About 2.45 pm, Gate 'C' opened and about fifty fans burst

through the gate. I rari to the gate with Police Constable 1278

Lang and managed to secure the gate, together with the Stewards.

Despite losing radio contact, I was aware that the situation was

being monitored by the CCTV camera positioned in the South side

of the West Stand.

The noise was tremendous, the mood of the fans near kick off

time was getting worse as they came through the turnstiles, many

of whom would have been ejected normally for their attitude

caused through drink, but the situation at this stage was not

p r a c t i c a b l e .

Suddenly, Gate 'C' appeared to burst open again, approximately

2.50 p m - 2.55 pm, a large number of fans ran through into the

centre tunnel of the Leppings Lane end.

It was noticeable at this time that the situation had quietened

WIILIAM CAMERON CRAWFORD PAGE 6

down considerably.

Shortly after 3.00 pm, there was a radio/tannoy message that all

officers were required on the perimeter track.

Throughout this tour of duty I was equipped with a Police radio

and an earpiece. Reception was very poor and there was

considerable interference. The situation was aggravated by

crowd n o i s e .

* I did not hear any order given over the radio or verbally to

"Open the gates."

* I heard no radio message and was not otherwise told that the

question of opening the gates was being considered.

* I was not asked my view of the likely consequences of opening

Gate 'C' and I heard no one else asked for their view.

* I was not warned to make preparations to direct the crowd from

going into pens 3 and 4 via the tunnel.

* I was not asked my location, manpower availability or barrier

availability prior to Gate 'C' being opened.

* After Gate 'C' had been opened I heard no instruction to

prevent the crowd going into the tunnel.

When giving evidence to the Inquest I was asked whether if I had

been asked I would have been able to prevent the crowd entering

"the tunnel. I indicated then that I believed it would have been

possible to close the tunnel in a matter of moments.


* Paragraph required here to explain Page 3 of document R170, ie

normally we have had a serial at the centre tunnel to direct to

the North or South pens when the centre pens had been filled.

This was not the case at this match and several of my serials

remarked on this.

Documents

WILLIAM CAMERON CRAWFORD POLICE INSPECTOR - SOUTH YORKSHIRE POLICE Inspector CRAWFORD ...hillsborough.independent.gov.uk/repository/docs/SYP... · · 2012-11-19POLICE INSPECTOR