OPERATIONAL BRIEF: BIRMINGHAM
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LAST UPDATED: 13/03 12:02 AM
Birmingham is reasonable. Pints are £4.50–£6.00. Inside Villa Park/St Andrews, beer is approx £5.50–£6.50.
LAST UPDATED: 19/01 10:08 AM
6°C | RAIN, PARTIALLY CLOUDY
4°C - 7.3°C
LAST UPDATED: 16/02 8:43 AM
UPCOMING OPERATIONS IN BIRMINGHAM
OPERATIONAL MAP
Stadium access – Villa Park
GETTING TO THE GROUND
Villa Park: Train from New St to Witton (closest to away end) or Aston. St Andrew's: Train to Bordesley (matchdays only) or walk/taxi from center.
Warning: Witton station gets extremely crowded after Villa games. Queues can be 30-45 mins.
Away fans in the Doug Ellis Stand (North end), usually both tiers (Blocks Q & P). Entrance via Witton Lane. Capacity ~3,000.
PROHIBITED ITEMS
- Bags larger than A4
- Pyrotechnics
- Glass bottles
CRITICAL
Upper tier (Block P) is steep. Concourse can be crowded. Alcohol allowed in Lower Tier only.
Exit routes & evacuation
Direct walk to Witton Station or Aston Station.
Exit via Witton Lane. Police often close the road to vehicles.
MISSION LOGISTICS
Hub
Birmingham Airport (BHX)
Transfer
Train runs directly from Airport (Birmingham International) to New Street (10 mins). Monorail connects terminal to station.
Tip
Very easy connection to city.
RECOMMENDED ZONE
Broad Street and Brindleyplace have many bars and canalside restaurants. Digbeth is cooler/grittier with independent venues.
RECOMMENDED
Broad Street / Brindleyplace offers good transport links and is generally safe for away supporters.
TACTICAL INTEL
GATHERING POINT
CENTRAL MEETING POINT
New Street Station / Bennett's Hill
Around New Street station (The Shakespeare, Sun on the Hill) is a common meet point before getting the train.
POLICE PROFILE
ACTIVE
West Midlands Police are experienced. For Villa-Blues derbies, operations are massive and movement is restricted. Otherwise, standard UK policing.