Leeds United's policing costs disputed in High Court

Michael Beloff said the action was a "test case"

A dispute over payment for policing Leeds United's stadium on match day is being heard in the High Court.

The Championship club said it was wrong for West Yorkshire Police to charge it for policing streets and car parks near its Elland Road ground.

Such areas were not owned by the club and the Special Police Services charges should not be levied, it said.

The club wants the charges to be ruled "illegal" and alleged over-payments to be refunded.

Michael Beloff QC told Mr Justice Eady the action was "in the nature of a test case" and the footballing and policing worlds hoped the ruling would provide "powerful guidance" on the issue.

Football-related violence

He said the club was content to pay for services within the stadium and on land owned or controlled by it, but policing on land not owned or controlled by the club does not constitute special police services.

"West Yorkshire Police's insistence on charging Leeds United Football Club for such policing is illegal," he added.

John Beggs QC, for the police, told the court the footprint around the stadium is a tightly drawn and strategically determined boundary.

He said Leeds United's home matches have one of the worst records for football-related violence in the UK.

Mr Beggs said, as matter of law, it is clear the police could charge for policing on public land as long as it was deployed for the protection of those attending the match or for the benefit of the club rather than for the safety of the public at large.

He added on non-match days the same area was virtually deserted and was policed by "one police community support officer as part of his wider beat".

The hearing continues.