Under-fire West Midlands Police force criticised for handing out eye masks and earplugs to suspects

THE under-fire police force that banned Jewish football fans has been blasted for handing out eye masks and earplugs to neurodivergent suspects in custody.

West Midlands Police also offers stress balls in a “neurodivergent package” plus fidget spinners, bouncy balls, colouring books and puzzles.

Retired Det Chief Supt Kevin Moore said: “I really can’t believe that such gimmicks have any place in policing.

“It would be good if police concentrated their efforts on catching criminals and keeping the public safe.”

A source said: “These are people arrested on suspicion of crimes in a custody cell — not a night at The Ritz.”

The force insisted it follows government rules and the packs “reduce self-harm” and risks of “violent attacks” on staff.

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West Mids Chief Constable Craig Guildford retired on Friday as a result of using “untrue” intelligence to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from a European game against Aston Villa last year.

Mr Guildford had initially refused to step down last week – even after Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood declared she had no confidence in him.

It came after a watchdog report revealed the force had made misleading public statements and had failed to engage properly with the Jewish community.

Cops also relied on AI when gathering information – including about a match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and West Ham which never happened.