Old Firm Disorder, Glasgow Fire, and Lessons from Huntley: Policing, Enforcement, and True Crime Insights
In a wide-ranging chat, Simon and former senior Scottish police officer Tom Wood discuss Tom’s new book-editing process and then focus on recent disorder around the Rangers–Celtic Old Firm match, arguing sectarian hatred still simmers and questioning reduced police presence, reliance on stewards, and proposals to reintroduce alcohol at stadiums. They link football violence, gate-crashing, and disguised fans to broader issues of enforcement, funding cuts, and lost “organisational memory.” The conversation shifts to a major Glasgow city-centre fire at an iconic corner, suggesting existing regulations are adequate but under-enforced due to hollowed-out local authorities and reduced inspection capacity, with concern about vape shops and illicit activity. They reflect on the Soham murders by Ian Huntley and the Bichard Inquiry’s lessons on intelligence-sharing failures, compare offender secrecy to Angus Sinclair, note a new near-miss account related to Robert Black, and briefly preview London’s policing challenge after banning the Al Quds march.
00:00 Book Editing Grind
00:44 Old Firm Violence Returns
01:45 Policing vs Stewarding
03:59 Alcohol Ban Debate
07:52 Sectarianism and Rivalry
11:49 Away Fans and Hooliganism
14:51 Pickpockets at Matches
16:46 Glasgow Fire and Neglect
20:36 Vape Shops and Drug Parallels
23:30 Smoking Ban Lessons
23:49 Smoking Ban Success
24:52 Vape Shop Fire Questions
25:16 Enforcement Over New Laws
26:34 Policing Vape Shops
27:24 Pawn Shops and Beat Cops
28:09 Madam Doubtfire Origins
29:08 Glasgow Fair and Pawnbroking
30:44 Soham Murders Lessons
32:59 Killers Keeping Secrets
36:27 Near Misses and Intel Logs
40:10 Patterns in Minor Incidents
41:37 Covering for Offenders
42:29 Banning Marches in London
46:42 Rugby and Sign Off
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