ACPO comment on statistics on football-related arrests and banning orders

Association of Chief Police Officers lead on football policing Assistant Chief Constable Andy Holt said:

"Over the past two decades the UK has made steady progress in reducing football-related violence and disorder. The service has worked hard with football clubs and football supporter's associations to ensure that genuine fans can attend games without incident and it's reassuring that the figures reflect that a very small minority of fans have come to police notice.

"Where people are found to be directly or indirectly involved in football-related violence, disorder or anti-social behaviour, the service has used the legislation at its disposal to deal with those who seek to bring the game into disrepute.

"UK policing has led the way in dealing with football-related violence and disorder and the effectiveness of banning orders has drawn interest from police forces internationally as an effective method of reducing disorder at football matches."

Football-related arrests and banning orders for season 2010/11 can be found here: www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/crime/football-arrests-banning-orders/

For more information please contact:

ACPO Press Office
Association of Chief Police Officers
e: press.office@acpo.pnn.police.uk