312. It will of course be necessary to have a police presence sufficient to prevent pitch invasion for improper reasons through the open gates. However, I am encouraged to think that this is not an insuperable problem by the fact that, for example at Anfield, Liverpool's ground, there were no gates in the perimeter fencing before it was taken down. There were instead gaps or "access points" as they are called in the Green Guide (paragraph 215). Their existence did not, so far as I am aware, prevent the authorities from maintaining order. Also, the gates were open throughout the replay of this ill-fated semi-final at Old Trafford on 7 May 1989.
'Reduced Numbers
313. In the assessment of figures for capacity, the criteria in Chapter 16 of the Green Guide were not at Hillsborough, and may not elsewhere, have been applied with sufficient rigour. Therefore, in addition to reminding and enjoining local authorities and clubs to make all necessary deductions when assessing the figure for maximum capacity in accordance with the Green Guide, I recommend reducing that figure by a further 15% as an interim measure.
Safety Certificate
314. The Safety Certificate procedure should, if it is properly administered and enforced, go far towards achieving crowd safety. Whether it succeeds depends upon the vigilance and commitment of the local authority issuing the Certificate. I do not know whether the poor performance of the local authority at Hillsborough was typical. Arguments have been put to me suggesting the need for some national oversight or inspection of local authority certification procedures. This raises complex issues which I shall want to consider further at stage two of the Inquiry. For the present, I make recommendations as to the content of Safety Certificates and arrangements for issuing, monitoring, enforcing, reviewing, amending and renewing them.
