February 2009

For any one caught up in the post-match disturbances at the Newcastle–Sunderland derby, it must have been a frightening experience.

Describing the trouble makers as ‘idiots’ is an understatement, no one condones football violence however strong the feelings of team loyalty.

The fact is however – despite recent examples otherwise – trouble in and around football grounds is relatively rare, particularly given past history of football.

One of the reasons is the introduction of football banning orders.  Trouble makers can be banned from matches, banned from anywhere near grounds and in the case of away and foreign matches forced to report to their local police station on match day and surrender their passports. 

During a recent visit to the UK Football Policing Unit to meet staff, police and fans I saw the ‘league of shame’ which shows which team supporters have most banning orders.  Our regional teams came out quite badly but the list changes over time, and a higher number of banning orders may reflect a more robust, proactive police approach.

I saw footage of trouble makers inciting violence and, like much CCTV footage the perpetrators rarely dispute the damning evidence.  Interestingly trouble makers can be identified before any serious trouble and receive a banning order to prevent their further involvement.

I was told that most are distraught at the prospect of being deprived of something so important to them – to be able to go along with their mates to support their favourite team.

In the Police and Crime Bill we are extending banning orders to Scotland to prevent trouble makers crossing the border to cause trouble.  And we are learning the lessons of football banning orders to intervene in other areas like gangs to prevent and disrupt trouble.

If dealing with the minority who cause trouble means those who play by the rules can live their lives safely including taking their family along to football matches then I very much welcome it.