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Minister praises police, clubs and fans for tackling football-related violence
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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