New figures, released by West Midlands Police, reveal that a total of £5,196,527 has been paid to the force by the region's six professional clubs since the 2013/14 season - However the force says the amount only covers part of the total match day costs – and campaigners today called for the clubs to pick up a larger slice of the bill.
The Express & Star reports that Steve Bruce's Aston Villa had the largest policing bill, with figures released under the Freedom of Information Act revealing a bill totalling £1.5m over the past five seasons. While Wolverhampton Wanderers' costs came to £1,015,995, slightly less than the £1.1m paid by Birmingham City.
Police can only charge football clubs for costs inside the stadiums, meaning patrols around nearby streets, railway stations and town centres are picked up by the force.
West Midlands Police says it does not keep records of the total costs of policing matches, including patrols outside the stadium, and the number of officers deployed depends on whether the match is regarded as a high risk.
A team of three inspectors, nine sergeants and 63 constables are deployed to the highest category matches, while just one sergeant and seven constables will staff the lowest risk games.
Despite being the only West Midlands team currently in the Premier League, West Bromwich Albion paid just £968,235. With Walsall's bill reaching £265,701. Coventry City picked up costs of £246,751 over the past five campaigns.
