Football-related arrests on increase

The number of people arrested for football-related crimes went up by 19 per cent last season, according to figures from the Home Office.

In a period which included the high-profile crowd disturbance at the European Championships qualifier with Turkey, 4,793 people were arrested.

Of the 267 arrests at international games, nearly half were made during the trouble at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland when English and Turkish fans clashed.

The Home Office and the FA say that the figures demonstrate a tougher stance on football hooliganism. Several clubs in the football league noted a significant increase in the number of arrests. Birmingham City had 137, compared to 55 in the previous season and Aston Villa, 91 – from 60.

The Home Office added that in the run-up to the Euro 2004 tournament in Portugal, more fans would be banned from attending matches.