Football-Related Train Arrest Statistics

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British Transport Police 7th August 2008 06:00
ALCOHOL TO BLAME FOR MOST FOOTBALL DISORDER, SAY BRITISH TRANSPORT POLICE

British Transport Police has called on football fans to act responsibly this coming football season, with figures from last season showing a worrying increase in alcohol-fuelled violence by fans using the railway system.

BTP Assistant Chief Constable Operations Alan Pacey said the 2007-2008 season saw a 10 per cent increase in football related anti-social and alcohol-fuelled incidents on trains and at stations across the England, Wales and Scotland.

"The 2007/2008 season was definitely a challenging one for us. Alcohol-fuelled disorder was the most prevalent problem, with an increase from 305 to 337 incidents. We also had 25 police officers assaulted during the season – the highest number ever recorded by BTP," he said.

"We did however get a better grip on organised hooligan elements through increased use of football banning orders on known trouble-makers. Consequently we had a reduction in serious incidents from 83 in the 2006/07 season to 63 last season."

For the eighth season running, football-related arrests have increased - up from 567 to 601.

"In the same time period we secured 122 football banning orders, with many cases still pending.

"This is something we will continue to pursue to ensure that those who engage in disorder are banned from travelling to, or from attending, football matches.

"We will use all the tools at our disposal to rid the railway system of football troublemakers. We know that these people are in the minority but we don’t want them spoiling things for the majority of law-abiding football fans. Our number one concern is ensuring that well-behaved football fans as well as other members of the public who are using the transport system on match days can travel from A to B in safety.

"With the ever expanding list of fixtures, including the creation of the European Champions League, the pressures on us as a force to provide policing for multiple matches in multiple leagues across the country has never been greater.

"A forum which brings together key groups from the railway industry, the FA,Football League and Premier League, supporters associations and BTP has been also been set up to work through any issues that may be causing concern."

ACC Pacey said the forum was eager to ensure that season 2008/2009 was a success.

"We would appeal to fans ahead of the new football season not to over indulge in alcohol. For those coming into London, we would remind passengers to adhere to the ban on consumption of alcohol on the Tube, along with any other "dry train" restrictions which may be imposed by mainline train operators throughout the season.

"Officers will be out in force across the country monitoring fixtures and working with football clubs and colleagues from other forces to ensure each match is policed successfully and with the minimum amount of trouble."

KEY POINTS IN THE SEASON:

- BTP annual Policing Plan targets on football banning orders, applying for post-conviction orders and reducing serious offences were all met.

- The reopening of Wembley, with the FA Cup returning to its traditional home in May 2007, was a significant event. Chelsea and Manchester United fans were there in force with around 85% using the Tube system. More than 500 BTP officers were on duty to meet them and make sure all ran smoothly. Only four arrests were made during the day.

- In the same month, an equally successful football operation was put in place for the UEFA Cup Final at Hampden Park, Glasgow. Sevilla and Espanyol fans were in buoyant mood and no arrests were made amongst the 51,000 crowd. This was in sharp contrast to Glasgow Rangers UEFA Cup visit to Manchester a year later when rioting occurred in the city centre near Piccadilly station.

- In December, officers were involved in the first deployment on the new high speed Channel Tunnel link for a major sporting event. Spurs UEFA cup tie with Anderlecht saw Belgian and BTP officers travelling together on trains as part of international policing from St Pancras International.

- In November 2007, a series of football operations took place across the country, during which 33 people were arrested. On 8 November, a team of 150 BTP and Metropolitan Police officers arrested 14 men in dawn raids across south London, Sussex and Kent. Two more were subsequently arrested. This followed violent football-related disorder at Sydenham station on 1 September. All 16 were charged with violent disorder and ten have so far been convicted, with others yet to face court.

- On 8 November, 10 men were arrested and charged in the North Western Area by BTP and Merseyside officers following disorder on a train between Wrexham and Chester on 7 July. The disorder followed the Wrexham v Liverpool pre-season friendly. All have been given Football Banning Orders.

- In the North Eastern Area, a violent incident on a York bound train between Middlesbrough and Thornaby, following the Middlesbrough versus Chelsea match on 20 October, left several passengers injured. Four men were charged with affray and are due to be sentenced at Teesside Crown Court on Friday this week (August 8). BTP's Chief Insp Jane Townsley will be available for interview outside the court following the sentencing - contact North Eastern Area Media Manager Melanie Hill on 07827 257495 for further details.

- In the Wales and Western Area, a 24-year-old Cardiff City supporter was jailed for a year and given a six-year Football Banning Order for affray. Following a match, a group of about 30 Cardiff City fans began threatening police on the platform at Derby station. The convicted man repeatedly punched one officer in the face then assaulted another who came to his colleague’s assistance.

- Following another prosecution in October 2007, a 43-year-old Leicester City supporter was given a five-month jail sentence and a six-year banning order for an unprovoked attack on an elderly couple. In this case, the man had been on a train with a mixed group of Leicester and Sheffield Wednesday fans. They were rowdy, shouting and singing, and, as the train approached Kettering, the woman asked him and his friends to mind their language. He became aggressive and when her partner protested; he punched him in the head several times. The woman was also assaulted as she tried to protect her partner.

- On 8 January 2008, 11 Shrewsbury Town FC supporters were arrested during early morning raids by BTP in Shrewsbury. Two other men from Shrewsbury were also later arrested and a further two men from Wednesbury, who supported Walsall FC.

- Code-named Operation Highway, the men were charged with Section 4 Public Order (threatening behaviour) in connection with disorder, which took place on Saturday 10 November, 2007, before a football match at Banks’s Stadium (formerly Bescot) outside Tamebridge Parkway railway station, Wednesbury.

- To date eight people have been convicted and six have been given a four-year football banning order, 100 hours of unpaid community work, 20 weeks prison sentence suspended for 12 months and £120 court costs. Two of the men charged received a three-year football banning order, 100 hours of unpaid community work, and £60 court costs with others yet to face court in November 2008.

- Football Banning Orders are an effective weapon against hooligans and, for the first time this year, two were imposed in Scotland. The two St Johnstone fans have been banned from every football ground in the country, as well as from travelling abroad to support Scotland. - British Transport Police