Fans love to get a little afternoon buzz before heading to the game, it saves money. When you're paying $10 or more for a beer, twice as much for a cocktail, it's pretty easy to spend more than you wanted. The Scots are no exception, their fans wanted to have a few drinks before a World Cup qualifier with Norway. The British Transport Police knew this too and they were on the lookout for anyone who was trying to take alcohol in innocent looking containers to the game. They used "dip strips" to test whatever liquids were carried by fans, which are often disguised in containers not normally used for alcohol.
The haul for the BTF: 240 gallons of alcohol; they confiscated 130 gallons alone from people who were drinking on trains in route to the game. Sounds like a lot until this small fact is pointed out, the 240 gallons is a little over half the alcohol carried by fans to the game.
500 gallons of alcohol? Keep up the good work Scots.
From the UK Evening Times:
"MORE than 240 gallons of booze was seized from Tartan Army fans before Scotland's World Cup qualifier at Hampden on Saturday.
British Transport Police confiscated more than half of the alcohol from fans as they made their way to the Norway game.
Warnings had been issued before the game in a bid to clamp down on drink-fuelled anti-social behaviour.
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Police were out in force in the streets around Hampden confiscating drink, as reported in last night's Evening Times.
And transport officers armed with dip strips tested liquids carried by fans, which are often disguised in containers not normally used for alcohol.
The BTP operation, involving eight police forces, led to 240 gallons of booze being seized from fans.
Of this figure, 130 gallons were seized on trains and stations en route to the match.
Four people were reported for drinking on trains, which had alcohol bans in place.
And one arrest was made after an officer was assaulted at Montrose station, in Angus.
BTP Chief Inspector Alex McGuire said: "We seized any containers containing alcohol and had them crushed.
"These restrictions are put in place to try to prevent disorder or anti-social behaviour, which more often than not is associated with alcohol."
Police earlier praised the Tartan Army for their "outstanding" behaviour in Glasgow during the game, which ended in a 0-0 draw.
Four alcohol-related arrests were made at Hampden. Two people were arrested for attempting to enter the stadium while drunk, and two for being drunk and disorderly.
Police confiscated 251 bottles and cans in the ground, and issued £40 fines to five people for drinking in the street.
Thirty-four fans were barred from entering the stadium for being too drunk.
Chief Superintendent Robin Howe, of Strathclyde Police, said: "Although the outcome of the game was disappointing for Scotland supporters, police made sure the day was not ruined in other respects."
British Transport Police confiscated more than half of the alcohol from fans as they made their way to the Norway game.
Warnings had been issued before the game in a bid to clamp down on drink-fuelled anti-social behaviour.
advertisement
Police were out in force in the streets around Hampden confiscating drink, as reported in last night's Evening Times.
And transport officers armed with dip strips tested liquids carried by fans, which are often disguised in containers not normally used for alcohol.
The BTP operation, involving eight police forces, led to 240 gallons of booze being seized from fans.
Of this figure, 130 gallons were seized on trains and stations en route to the match.
Four people were reported for drinking on trains, which had alcohol bans in place.
And one arrest was made after an officer was assaulted at Montrose station, in Angus.
BTP Chief Inspector Alex McGuire said: "We seized any containers containing alcohol and had them crushed.
"These restrictions are put in place to try to prevent disorder or anti-social behaviour, which more often than not is associated with alcohol."
Police earlier praised the Tartan Army for their "outstanding" behaviour in Glasgow during the game, which ended in a 0-0 draw.
Four alcohol-related arrests were made at Hampden. Two people were arrested for attempting to enter the stadium while drunk, and two for being drunk and disorderly.
Police confiscated 251 bottles and cans in the ground, and issued £40 fines to five people for drinking in the street.
Thirty-four fans were barred from entering the stadium for being too drunk.
Chief Superintendent Robin Howe, of Strathclyde Police, said: "Although the outcome of the game was disappointing for Scotland supporters, police made sure the day was not ruined in other respects."
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