Minister praises police,
clubs and fans for tackling football-related violence
HOME OFFICE News
Release (206/2008) issued by COI News Distribution Service. 25
November 2008
Police officers,
clubs and fans were praised by Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker
yesterday for tackling football-related violence last season.
The 'Statistics on Football-Related Arrests and Banning
Orders' Season 2007-08', published today, reveal there
were 3,842 arrests last season at all international and domestic
games, with no arrests at 67 per cent of matches.
The new figures mean just 0.01 per cent of 37m supporters
attending matches in England and Wales in the last year were
arrested for football-related violence.
As Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester
City fans head to the continent this week for the next round of
matches in Europe, the report also showed that only 25 arrests
were made last year of the 120,000 fans travelling away to see
their teams in the Champions League and UEFA Cup competitions.
The latest statistics reveal that during the 2007/08 season:
* 3,842 arrests made for football-related offences at domestic
and international matches in England and Wales;
* there were 1.21 arrests per game;
* the number of football banning orders on 30 October was 3,172 -
representing 1,048 new orders imposed last year;
* 94 per cent of individuals whose banning orders have expired
are assessed by police as no longer posing a risk to football
disorder; and
* arrests for racist chanting were down 43 per cent to 23, the
lowest level on record.
Vernon Coaker said:
"Football violence and disorder has no place in the modern
game and we are determined to crack down on those who attempt to
ruin the sport for the vast majority of genuine fans.
"I am delighted that the police, the clubs and the fans are
working together to help clampdown on football violence in and out
of the grounds. Football banning orders have proved to be a great
success - 94 per cent of individuals whose banning order has
expired have been assessed by police as no longer posing a risk of
football disorder.
"Great progress has been achieved and we remain committed to
preventing violence and criminality spoiling the sport. However we
are not complacent and continue to work very closely with police,
football authorities and supporter groups to co-ordinate a
sophisticated multi agency strategy to manage football disorder."
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. Statistics on 'Football-Related Arrests and Banning
Orders for Season 2007/08' can be found online at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/crime-victims/reducing-crime/football-disorder/
2. Football banning orders were introduced to prevent known
football hooligans from causing further trouble at home and
abroad. Bans last between two and ten years, and the precise
conditions can be tailored on a case-by-case basis.
If necessary, the courts can ban recipients from using public
transport on match days, and from visiting other potential
'hotspots', such as town centres, pubs and bars during
risk periods.
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