00:00The Chief Constable, Craig Guildford, has today retired from West Midlands Police with immediate effect.
00:07In doing so, he has acted with honour and in the best interests of West Midlands Police and our region.
00:14I welcome his decision.
00:16I'm pleased this outcome has been reached having regard to due process and the law.
00:22That has prevented what might otherwise have been a complex procedure
00:27that would have caused significant distraction, impact and cost to West Midlands Police and the wider West Midlands.
00:36It was important this matter was resolved in a balanced, calm, fair, measured and respectful manner.
00:43The Chief Constable's retirement follows the decision of the Birmingham City Council Safety Advisory Group
00:50based on the recommendation of West Midlands Police to ban away fans from attending the Europa League football match
00:58between Aston Villa and Maccabi Tel Aviv on the 6th of November 2025.
