Case Studies

Football bans fall

by Mark Rowe

A decrease in the number of people arrested and issued with banning orders last season has been hailed by police. Here are the numbers of banned supporters by Premiership club:

Arsenal 73 Aston Villa 51 Chelsea 112 Everton 37 Fulham 5 Liverpool 54 Manchester City 47 Manchester United 98 Newcastle United 67 Norwich City 23 Queens Park Rangers 22 Reading 5 Southampton 60 Stoke City 25 Sunderland 34 Swansea City 64 Tottenham Hotspur 59 West Bromwich Albion 26 West Ham United 78 Wigan Athletic 12. For all clubs totals visit the Home Office website –

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/crime/football-arrests-banning-orders/fbo-season-2011-121?view=Binary

Association of Chief Police Officers lead on football policing Assistant Chief Constable Andy Holt said: “The reduction in arrests for violent incidents allows the police service the opportunity to concentrate resources on the minority of individuals who still seek to engage in disorder at football matches. This decrease in the number of football related arrests and banning orders is encouraging and shows the police service has worked hard with football clubs and supporter’s associations to ensure genuine fans can attend games without incident.

“Compared with the 2010-2011 season there has also been a marked decrease in the number of public disorder incidents, alcohol offences and racist or indecent chanting at games. The police have been clear that where people are found to be directly or indirectly involved in football-related violence, disorder or anti-social behaviour, the service will deal robustly with those who seek to bring the game into disrepute.

“It is also encouraging to see the number of arrests is also down compared to the previous season across nine of the 12 competition leagues and police will continue to lead the way in reducing disorder at football matches.”

Total attendance was more than 37 million at regulated football matches. The total number of arrests represents less than 0.01 per cent of the total, or one arrest for every 15,782 spectators.

During 2011-12 season the total number arrests in connection with all international and domestic football (“regulated”) matches involving teams from, or representing, England and Wales was 2,363. This represents a decrease of 24pc, or 726 arrests, on 2010-11 totals. The downwards trend in football-related arrests is continuing, the Home Office says, although there remains a significant risk it will escalate if efforts to prevent and tackle football- related disorder are reduced.

The statistics cover all arrests designated in law under schedule 1 of the Football Spectators Act 1989 (as amended) reported by police to the Football Banning Orders Authority. This includes football specific offences (e.g. throwing missiles in a stadium, pitch encroachment) and a wide range of generic criminal offences committed in connection with a football match. This covers such arrests at any place within a period of 24 hours either side of a match.

During the season an average of less than 1 (0.72) arrest made per match inside and outside of stadia (Premier League 2.12, Championship 0.90, League One 0.41, League Two 0.30).

Other figures

No arrests at 74 per cent of all regulated matches.
53pc of all matches were police free – continuing to free up police resources to deal with local police and community priorities.
More than 100,000 English and Welsh club fans travelled to Champions League and Europa League matches outside of England and Wales. These 47 matches resulted in just 27 arrests of away fans.
The number of football banning orders decreased by 13pc to 2,750 on November 9, 2012 from 3,173 in November 2011. This represents 493 new banning orders imposed during the period. Orders are time limited and expiring all the time.

Related News

Newsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to stay on top of security news and events.

© 2024 Professional Security Magazine. All rights reserved.

Website by MSEC Marketing