Police probe 'sound coppers' who 'gave 26 football fans a lift to pub'

Police probe team of ‘sound coppers’ who ‘gave 26 Middlesbrough football fans a lift to the pub in their riot van’

  • Cops are investigating police officers who ‘gave 26 football fans a lift to pub’ 
  • Lancashire Police are probing two videos that showed fans inside vehicle
  • Videos taken following Middlesbrough’s Saturday clash with Preston North End
  • Footage showed 26 fans standing inside marked Mercedes Sprinter on Saturday 

Police are investigating a team of officers who ‘gave 26 Middlesbrough football fans a lift to the pub in their riot van’.

Lancashire authorities have launched a probe after a video emerged showing a stream of Middlesbrough supporters exiting a marked Mercedes Sprinter van on Saturday 7 May.

Two separate videos were taken by a fan inside the vehicle showing the extremely cramped conditions, whilst another was recorded outside a pub via CCTV shows the fans spilling out of the van.

One fan remarked the police vehicle appeared to be ‘a Tardis’ as 26 supporters – with one carrying a large inflatable pink elephant – tumbled out.

The footage, which has over one millions views, was posted to social media following Middlesbrough’s clash with Preston on Saturday for the final Championship match of the season.  

There were allegedly three police officers in the van, taking the total number on board to 29 people and one inflatable elephant. It is unclear why the alleged lift took place. 

Police are investigating a team of officers who appeared to give 26 Middlesbrough football fans a lift to the pub in their riot van

In the second video, titled ‘Claustrophobia kicked in’, Middlesbrough supporters could be seen singing at the top of their voices whilst one man shouts ‘put the sirens on’

Lancashire authorities have launched a probe after a video emerged showing a stream of Middlesbrough supporters exiting a marked Mercedes Sprinter van on Saturday 7 May

When used for non-policing purposes, Mercedes Sprinters are normally designed to carry up to 12 passengers and one driver, based on the number of seat belts available.

The Lancashire Police investigation will centre on how many passengers can safely be transported in the customised police model used by the force.

In the second video, titled ‘Claustrophobia kicked in’, Middlesbrough supporters could be seen singing at the top of their voices whilst one man shouts: ‘put the sirens on.’

Middlesbrough supporters later praised the home fans and the ‘sound coppers’ in Preston after their promotion hopes were dashed in a 4-1 defeat.

But it appears Lancashire Police bosses may have failed to see the funny side.

A force spokesman told MailOnline: ‘We are aware of the video circulating and are investigating the full circumstances surrounding the incident.’

The videos were posted on the Away Fans Video account on Twitter.

Newcastle fan, Ian Willis, commented: ’26 of them in the back, what was it, the f*****g Tardis?’

There were three police officers in the van, taking the total number on board to 29 people and one inflatable elephant

Wayne Summers said: ‘Is that a comedy sketch? They just keep on coming out of the van.’

Another fan quipped: ‘Did they borrow that van from the circus?’

One Twitter user added: ‘Preston one of the best away days in the country. Sound people and sound coppers.’

One more Middlesbrough fan said: ‘Great atmosphere, great policing. Everything made for a superb away trip apart from the result.’

However, there were some fans that were concerned over the amount of people that were in the back of the van. One person added: ’26??!!! Surely that’s past the legal limit for that vehicle??’

Another person responded: ‘Sure that’s three points on the driver’s license. Unsafe/unsecure load.’

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