Mounted officers in and outside the turnstile area were having difficulty manoeuvring in such a dense crowd. The police were beset by fans bemused by the ticket and turnstile labelling asking for directions. Many had been drinking but up to and just after 2.30 pm the mood remained good.
62. Superintendent Marshall was on foot amongst the crowd. He became anxious about the numbers coming down Leppings Lane and spilling out onto the roadway where buses and cars were moving. At 2.17 pm he radioed to control to have motor traffic in Leppings Lane stopped. This was eventually done at about 2.30 pm. Up to this time, despite the large mass outside the turnstiles and the numbers still approaching, there was still no panic in the crowd; no perception of crisis by the police. In the control room Mr Murray, who could see Leppings Lane on the video, advised Mr Duckenfield that they would get everyone in by 3 pm. Mr Duckenfield reaffirmed to him the policy about a delayed kick-off. It would be ordered only if there was some major external factor such as fog on the Pennines or delay on the motorway: not if spectators merely turned up late even in large numbers.
