North Wales Police Deny Requesting Football Fan ID Copies

The forthcoming Wrexham v Chester football match has already caused controversy among fans due to ‘bubble’ travel arrangements, but now there is further confusion over copies of ID being taken for tickets.

Chester FC placed an official statement online clearly saying that they were unhappy with the general match arrangements, and that producing identification was a requirement to gain a ticket. Wrexham FC have a different method in place where copies of identification are being made, with fans being told it’s ‘for police use’.

Chester FC said: “We would like to make Chester fans aware that representatives from the Board of Directors and Club made the strongest possible case to the Police to avoid all fans having to travel from Chester to the game given the inconvenience and extra costs that both the Club and fans will face.”

The ticketing arrangement state “You must bring I.D. with you showing your name and address otherwise you will not be able to purchase a Voucher.” There is no detail on copies of the ID’s being made, stored or processed.

Wrexham FC have been requesting a copy of fan’s ID if they buy one or more tickets, being told they are ‘responsible’ for the extra tickets. Copies of the ID’s have been made and stored.

One fan told us: “I went in and asked for a ticket in the Mold Road stand and was asked for ID as they were collecting it for the police. I gave them my photo card driving license which they photocopied and on plain A4 paper and then put the photocopy on top of a pile of others on the desk.”

Another said: “When I purchased my ticket I was asked for ID which included my address. I produced my car log book which was scanned. I then asked what the copy was being used for and was told ‘for police use’. I then asked would the photocopy be returned to the club after the game, reply being, ‘I don’t know’.

“I am worried that the scanning of ID’s for the Chester game could set a precedence with other league games such as Shrewsbury or even cup games if we should draw teams such as Tranmere, Newport even Millwall”.

We asked North Wales Police for comment to why this information was being collected for them, who would be holding the data and when they would be destroying it.

They told is: “It certainly isn’t an instruction from North Wales Police, we have no desire to see this data.”

“Wrexham officials may be taking details at the time of sale to ensure that Chester fans are not buying tickets in the Wrexham areas of the ground, notwithstanding that some Wrexham fans may live in Chester.”

Wrexham will be beating Chester at the Racecourse ground on Saturday 31st of this month, with Chester fans being transported to and from the game in a secure ‘bubble’.