No crime committed in ‘White Lives Matter’ banner stunt, say police

Incident ‘caused offence to many people,’ say Lancashire Police

No criminal offence took place when a plane banner carrying the message “White Lives Matter Burnley” was flown over a Premier League match between Manchester City and Burnley, police have said following an investigation.

Lancashire Police said the incident, which occurred on Monday night, had “caused offence to many people in Lancashire and beyond”.

However, Chief Superintendent Russ Procter said that “after assessing all the information available surrounding this incident we have concluded that there are no criminal offences that have been disclosed at this time”.

“We will continue to work with our partners at the football club and within the local authority,” he added.

The force said it had liaised with Greater Manchester police, the Aviation Authority and the Crown Prosecution Service over the course of the day.

The plane, believed to have been operated by the firm Air Ads, flew above the Etihad Stadium moments after players and staff had taken a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

On Tuesday, Blackpool Airport, where Air Ads is based, announced that it was suspending banner-towing operations with immediate effect.

Stephen Smith, manager of the Blackpool Council-owned airport, said: “Blackpool Airport and Blackpool Council are outraged by this incident.

“We stand against racism of any kind and absolutely do not condone the activity. The message was offensive and the action reprehensible.

“The decision to fly the banner was taken entirely by the banner-flying company without the knowledge or approval of the airport or Blackpool Council.”

Announcing the airport’s suspension of banner-towing operations, Mr Smith added: “We would suggest that other airports should also consider this approach in light of what has happened at Blackpool.”

Many Burnley supporters and community leaders were quick to distance themselves from the stunt.

The club issued a strong statement condemning the banner during half-time and said the perpetrators would be banned for life if identified, while captain Ben Mee spoke passionately about the incident after the match.

“These people need to come into the 21st century and educate themselves, as a lot of us do,” he said.

In response to the incident, Burnley fans created a fundraiser for the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust, with organiser Lee Briggs, 33, a lifelong Clarets supporter, saying he felt embarrassed by his club being associated with the banner’s “racist language”.

There was no response from calls made to Air Ads by the PA news agency.

Additional reporting by PA