In full: West Midlands Police Commissioner to make statement after Maccabi Tel Aviv row

Key Concepts

• Retirement of Chief Constable Craig Guilford: The central event discussed is the immediate retirement of the Chief Constable of West Midlands Police.
• Europa League Match Ban: The catalyst for the scrutiny and eventual retirement is the recommendation to ban away fans from the Aston Villa vs. Maccabi Tel Aviv Europa League match.
• HMIC Report: A critical report from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) highlighted significant concerns regarding the police’s preparation and planning.
• Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC): The role of the PCC, Simon Foster, in overseeing the police force and handling the situation.
• Due Process & Oversight: Emphasis on the importance of legal procedures and scrutiny in handling the matter.
• Rebuilding Trust: The stated priority of the acting Chief Constable and PCC is to restore public trust in the police force.

West Midlands Police Chief Constable Retirement – Detailed Summary

This transcript details a press conference announcing the immediate retirement of West Midlands Police Chief Constable Craig Guilford. The announcement, delivered by Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Simon Foster, occurred at West Midlands Police Headquarters in Birmingham.

Background and Catalyst for Retirement

The core issue driving Guilford’s retirement stems from the decision to recommend a ban on away fans attending the Europa League football match between Aston Villa and Maccabi Tel Aviv on November 6th, 2025. This recommendation, made by West Midlands Police to the Birmingham City Council safety advisory group, triggered significant scrutiny and oversight. Foster explicitly states Guilford “acted with honor and in the best interests of West Midland’s police and our region” in choosing to retire. He frames the retirement as a positive outcome, preventing a potentially “complex procedure” that would have been “distracting, impactful, and costly” to the police and the wider West Midlands area.

HMIC Report and Concerns

A key factor influencing the situation was a recent report from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC), published on January 14th. The PCC acknowledged the report’s “significant preliminary concerns and shortcomings” regarding the preparation and planning undertaken by West Midlands Police leading up to the match ban recommendation. The specifics of these shortcomings are not detailed in the transcript, but their existence is presented as a major driver of the situation.

Emphasis on Due Process and Fair Handling

Foster repeatedly stresses the importance of resolving the matter in a “balanced, calm, fair, measured and respectful manner.” He highlights that the outcome was reached “having regard to due process and the law.” This suggests a desire to avoid a protracted and potentially damaging public inquiry or disciplinary process.

Acknowledgement of Guilford’s Contributions

Despite the circumstances surrounding his departure, Foster acknowledged Guilford’s “many positive achievements and contributions” during his three-year tenure as Chief Constable. He thanked Guilford for his service “on behalf of the people of the West Midlands.”

Appointment of Acting Chief Constable and Future Focus

Deputy Chief Constable Scott Green has been appointed as the acting Chief Constable. Foster confirmed they have already met to discuss “the actions that the force must take to rebuild trust and confidence amongst all the people and communities of the West Midlands.” This rebuilding effort will specifically address the issues raised in the HMIC report. The PCC and acting Chief Constable jointly committed to focusing on preventing and tackling crime, bringing offenders to justice, protecting victims, and ensuring public safety and security.

Public Reaction & Questions

The press conference concluded with a brief exchange where a member of the public questioned the accountability of allowing Guilford to retire rather than face disciplinary action and questioned why Guilford was not present to answer questions. This indicates potential public dissatisfaction with the outcome.

Technical Terms & Concepts

• Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC): An elected official responsible for overseeing the police force in a specific area.
• His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC): An independent body responsible for inspecting and assessing the performance of police forces in England and Wales.
• Safety Advisory Group: A local multi-agency group that provides advice on safety matters related to events.
• Due Process: Legal requirement that the state must respect all legal rights that are owed to a person.

Logical Connections

The transcript follows a clear narrative: the announcement of the retirement, the explanation of the circumstances leading to it (the match ban and HMIC report), acknowledgement of the outgoing Chief Constable’s service, and the outlining of future plans under the acting Chief Constable. The emphasis on due process and rebuilding trust serves as a unifying theme throughout the announcement.

Data & Statistics

The only specific date mentioned is the publication date of the HMIC report (January 14th) and the date of the Europa League match (November 6th, 2025).

Synthesis/Conclusion

The retirement of Chief Constable Craig Guilford represents a significant event for West Midlands Police. Driven by concerns raised in an HMIC report following a controversial recommendation to ban away fans from a football match, the situation was handled with an emphasis on legal process and avoiding further disruption. The focus now shifts to rebuilding public trust under the leadership of the acting Chief Constable, Scott Green, and addressing the shortcomings identified by the HMIC. The public questioning at the end of the conference suggests that the outcome may not be universally accepted, and accountability remains a key concern.