Police warn of rise in football violence
One of Britain’s senior police officers has warned of a worrying increase in football violence.
Paul Nicholas, assistant chief constable of the British Transport Police (BTP), said growing numbers of thugs were getting involved in lower-level football disorder.
Mr Nicholas noted 182 out of 187 people arrested or reported for hooliganism in 2005 did not have a previous record for hooliganism.
The number of serious football-related disorder incidents recorded by BTP dropped from 81 in 2000-01 to 44 in 2004-05.
“What this tells us is that the problem is perhaps bigger than previously identified, with more people becoming involved at a lower level,” he explained.
“We have had successes against organised, hardcore football hooliganism.
“But football-related violence and anti-social behaviour continues to cause problems and take up considerable police resources.
“My own view is that it is rising.”
On Saturday, more than 500 police will take part in a “day of action” against hooliganism across the transport network.
Police will arrest troublemakers and refuse drunk fans from boarding trains with offenders facing possible football banning orders.
Mr Nicholas said 11 key fixtures – including four in the Premiership – will see extra policing.
He said hooliganism appeared to be flourishing because of the way fixtures and the football calendar were organised.
“In the early 1980s there were 126 days of football a year and now there are up to 250,” he argued.
“Most matches used to kick off at 15:00 BST on Saturdays and now there are 15 different kick-off times, with pub opening times reflecting this.
“We are getting more drunken behaviour spread across the day on a greater number of days rather than it being confined to just one time on a particular day.”
BTP have targeted Premiership games Bolton Wanderers vs Chelsea, Fulham vs Everton, Liverpool vs Middlesbrough and Manchester City vs Portsmouth.
