Police chief issues warning over costs of implementing new sectarian legislation

The estimated costs of introducing new laws targeting hate crime at football matches are "way off the mark", according to a leading police chief.

Les Gray, chairman of the Scottish Police Federation, warned MSPs that implementing the new legislation properly would require more officers at football grounds, on supporter buses and in pubs.

Mr Gray was speaking at a meeting of Holyrood's Justice Committee, where evidence is being gathered on the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Bill.

If passed, the legislation would create two offences relating to behaviour deemed to "incite religious, racial or other forms of hatred" in and around football grounds and on the internet.

Offenders could be jailed for up to five years under the proposals.

The Bill is being fast-tracked through parliament so the law is in place in time for the new football season on July 23.

The Scottish Government said it did not envisage "significant additional costs" associated with the introduction of the laws, estimating they would not exceed 500,000 in 2011/12.

It estimated costs in future years of between 700,000 and 1.5 million.

Mr Gray said: "I have absolutely no doubt that the financial memorandum is way off the mark. I don't think 0.5 to 0.7 million will even scratch the surface of what is required.

"For the last few years, particularly the last two years, the police service has been engaged actively in removing police officers from football grounds to reduce costs.

"We're now going to have to reverse that trend in order to enforce this legislation properly by bringing more police officers to police these games before, during and after."

Mr Gray said while in the past two to three officers would be sent in to pubs during a football match, enforcing the new laws safely could mean as many as between 20 and 30 officers would be needed.

He added: "In order to police this in the way you need to police it, you will have to rob Peter to pay Paul.

"If you're bringing on-duty officers in with no cost to the football side of it, those officers are not in their community.

"If you're bringing officers in on over-time, there is obviously a financial cost there and then."