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Last Updated: Monday, 18 August, 2003, 10:52 GMT 11:52 UK
Arrests of football thugs up
Cardiff fans invade pitch at Ninian Park
The police said cooperation with clubs had increased arrests
The number of fans arrested for football-related crimes went up by 19% in the last season.

In a period marred by violence at England's Euro 2004 qualifier match with Turkey in April, 4,793 people were arrested compared to 4,035 the year before, the Home Office said.

Nearly half of arrests at international games - 121 out of 267 - were made during the trouble at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland.

The Home Office said the increase was due to more pro-active policing rather than an increase in trouble.

After fans invaded the pitch, Northumbria Police issued pictures of fans they wanted to trace.

David Swift, Deputy Chief Constable at Staffordshire Police and Association of Police Officers spokesman on footballing issues, said cooperation with the clubs and football authorities had had an impact on disorder.

In the coming season there will be more emphasis on dedicated intelligence operations
Deputy Chief Constable David Swift

"Identifying the minority of troublemakers and controlling them remains a top police priority," he said.

"In the coming season there will be more emphasis on dedicated intelligence operations and high levels of policing to bring those responsible for disorder to justice."

Premiership clubs which saw significant increases in arrests included Birmingham City, where there were 137 arrests compared with 55 the previous season and Aston Villa, 91 arrests compared with 60.

Premiership clubs which saw the number of arrests fall were Arsenal, Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City, Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham.

In Division One, London club Millwall saw a huge fall in arrests from 109 in the 2001-2002 season to just 14 last season.

Banned from matches

Meanwhile in Division Two, Cardiff had the highest number of arrests - 149 arrests; 107 of those at away matches.

The number of banning orders increased from 1,149 to 1,794.

The government announced on Monday that �5m would be made available over three years to fund targeted, intelligence-led policing operations aimed at gathering evidence and gaining banning orders against known troublemakers.

Home Office Minister Hazel Blears said: "Our tough football legislation is working - 1,794 fans are banned from attending matches and this number is set to rise significantly in the run up to Euro 2004.

We are particularly encouraged by the increase in banning orders which prevent trouble-makers from attending matches
Football Association

"The increase in the number of football related offences reflects a tough policing response to a lingering hooliganism problem.

"Football disorder has been significantly reduced in recent decades, but a minority of troublemakers continue to threaten our national game."

The Football Association said the figures showed its tougher police on troublemakers was working.

"We are particularly encouraged by the increase in banning orders, which prevent trouble-makers from attending matches both domestically and abroad, including Euro 2004 in Portugal," said the FA's Head of Stadia, Safety and Security Chris Whalley.

Shadow home secretary Oliver Letwin said the only way to tackle the increase in crime was to introduce 40,000 more police officers.

"It is extremely disturbing that football-related arrests have risen so sharply.

"Effective policing is vital if football hooliganism and other forms of disorder are to be brought under control."


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SEE ALSO:
Inquiry after football fans clash
28 Jul 03  |  England
Fans to sign good behaviour contracts
10 Jul 03  |  Hampshire/Dorset
Police praise England fans
12 Jun 03  |  Tees
Football violence 'orchestrated'
26 May 03  |  England
Arrests mar England game
03 Apr 03  |  England


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