Arrests Fall At The Football Field

Arrests for football-related disorder fell by 10 per cent last season, Home Office Minister James Brokenshire announced today.

The figures for the 2009/10 football season cover arrests of English and Welsh fans at all international and domestic games including this year's World Cup tournament in South Africa where there were no arrests of English or Welsh fans.

During the season 3,391 people were arrested, a fall of 395 compared to the 2008/09 season. This equates to an average of one arrest per match with no arrests at 70 per cent of games.

A decade after their introduction football banning orders continue to have a positive effect. Since 2000 approximately 92 per cent of people whose orders have expired are assessed by police as no longer posing a risk of football disorder.

The number of football banning orders issued in 2009/10 has increased from 3,180 on 10 November 2009 to 3,248 on 19 November 2010.

Crime Prevention Minister James Brokenshire said:

 "The contrast between South Africa 2010 and Euro 2000 could not be greater - no football-related arrests at the World Cup compared to nearly 950 hooligans being expelled from Belgium in one night.



"There are many factors behind this and the greatest credit must go to the fans. But I want to see them continue to build on that good behaviour. We must also applaud the work of police in making football a safer environment for all.

"Nobody is complacent though, police will continue to work with fans and use all the tools at their disposal to ensure that we continue setting a benchmark for the world."

Assistant Chief Constable Andy Holt, Association of Chief Police Officers lead on football policing, said: "This continuing trend towards less football related violence is a testament to both fans of the game and the work of the police. Over the past 20 years the UK has made steady progress in eradicating the behaviour of those intent on football-related violence and disorder.


"Less then 10 per cent of those who are issued with banning orders re-offend, so this legislation is proven to be effective and the service will continue to work with clubs and the Football Association to use these powers appropriately.”

(BMcN/GK)