Police appeal reached one million

MORE than one million Rugby League supporters are believed to have seen or heard police appeals for information about an attack on a fan at Warrington – but detective are disappointed with the response.
Halifax fan David Singer, aged 32, is still critically ill in hospital after being attacked as he left the Halliwell Jones Stadium on Sunday, September 26 after watching his team defeat Featherstone Rovers in the Co-operative Conference National League One grand final.
Detective Inspector Stephen Jones, who is leading the police enquiry said: “When you consider over a million people would have heard or seen the police appeal, the small number of calls we received is disappointing.
“I know that the assault on David was witnessed by both Featherstone and Halifax supporters. I also believe that other Halifax supporters were verbally abused and had aggression directed towards them as they left the stadium – perhaps by those responsible for assaulting David Singer.
Police appealed to more than 70,000 RL fans who were at the Super League grand final between Wigan and St Helens at Old Trafford on Saturday and it was also broadcast to thousands more on television.
Both Halifax RFC and Featherstone Rovers have supported the police appeal for information from fans, with dedicated appeals on their club websites.
Police believe the offenders were wearing Featherstone colours, and targeting Halifax fans as they moved back to their transport on the car park. Enquiries have also established that other Halifax fans had been physically and verbally abused as they walked back to their transport.
Coaches carrying Featherstone fans drove past as the assault occurred.
Police need to speak with anyone who saw anything, anyone who was physically or verbally abused as they walked this route back to their transport after the match, or anyone with any relevant information.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0845 458 0000 or via the confidential Crimestoppers hotline 0800 555 111.