The number of arrests at football matches in England and Wales saw a 14% increase in 2023-24, despite a decline in the number of matches reporting incidents. Police attributed the rise to a more "proactive" approach in managing disturbances at stadiums.
Home Office statistics reveal that 2,584 football-related arrests were recorded last season, up from 2,264 the previous year, primarily due to an uptick in arrests related to class A drugs. The number of banning orders in England and Wales also increased, reaching an active total of 2,172, a 34% rise. Meanwhile, the number of matches reporting incidents dropped to 1,341, a 17% decrease.
Chief Constable Mark Roberts of Cheshire, the head of football policing in England and Wales, noted that the period saw record attendances and some positive trends following the increase in disorder when fans returned post-Covid-19 pandemic. "While the total number of incidents remains above pre-pandemic levels, it's encouraging to see them stabilizing and moving in the right direction, with a 12% drop in matches reporting football-related incidents," he said. "This aligns with the proactive measures adopted by police forces nationwide."
Roberts emphasized the importance of contextualizing these figures. Last season, approximately 47 million people attended men's domestic and international matches, a record high. The majority of football fans are law-abiding, supporting their teams. However, a small minority commit offenses, and police will continue to collaborate with the Crown Prosecution Service and other partners to hold offenders accountable.
Home Office data highlights a continuous rise in arrests post-pandemic, reversing years of decline. West Ham topped the list for the third consecutive season with 103 arrests, followed by Manchester City and Manchester United (both with 88). The number of arrests in the top five English divisions increased by six from the previous year. Notably, there were no arrests at women's football matches.
