Out of the passing throng of supporters milling outside King Power Stadium ahead of Leicester City’s game against Watford, a fan recognises and approaches PC Dave Stevens.
It is a jolly greeting, and said in jest after PC Stevens, Leicestershire Police’s only dedicated football officer, and a couple of his colleagues were captured on social media video trying to hold back a large group of Legia Warsaw fans intent on reaching Leicester supporters in what seemed a coordinated attack.
The ribbing is light-hearted, but the incident was very serious, resulting in one of PC Stevens’ colleagues being knocked unconscious and two needing hospital treatment. Reinforcements soon arrived and the incident, which was the worst ever inside the King Power Stadium and saw five individuals charged, was quickly quelled, but investigations into the violence and how Legia fans were able to smuggle dozens of pyrotechnics into the stadium is ongoing.
Others shout ‘no fighting today Dave!’ with a thumbs up as they pass, or simply give him a nod of appreciation.
It isn’t just PC Stevens who is acknowledged by the fans. Many supporters approach his colleagues to express their gratitude for how the police dealt with the incident. Two small girls and their father even presented them with tins of sweets, an act appreciated by many of the seasoned officers inside the detention room.
Some officers were even applauded by supporters as they walked into a pub near the stadium.
One said: “We might be police, but in those circumstances they see us as their police.
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