Cracking down on football hooligans

16/08/2005

Football hooligans who cause trouble in or around grounds in the coming season have been warned they risk losing their passports.

CPS prosecutors and the police have agreed to operate a presumption in favour of prosecuting troublemakers rather than cautioning, so that prosecutors can apply for a Football Banning Order.  This prevents those subject to the Order attending a domestic football ground or travelling out of the country any time the England or Wales team is playing abroad. 

Brian Gunn, Chief Crown Prosecutor at Derbyshire Crown Prosecution Service said:

"We are going to show football hooligans the red card.  We know that the vast majority of those attending matches at Pride Park in Derby or Saltergate in Chesterfield are genuine supporters who simply want to enjoy the game in a safe environment, without being subject to any sort of physical or verbal abuse.  However a minority of individuals attend matches with the sole intention of causing trouble, and this will not be tolerated. 

"Most hooliganism, often involving rival groups of fans, takes place away from football grounds; with local public houses, or railway and bus stations often being the scenes of disorder.  We want to avoid a few troublemakers ruining both the enjoyment and reputation of law-abiding fans and making local residents lives a misery.

"Hooligans hate and fear Football Banning Orders, so the Orders are a key weapon against them.  The action starts now.  If you cause trouble at a domestic match you are almost certain to be prosecuted and we will apply for a Football Banning Order, which will ban you from every football ground in England and Wales for a minimum of three years.

"If England or Wales qualify for the World Cup or Euro 2008, you wont be going.  Anyone receiving a Football Banning Order risks having their passports taken away every time the England or Wales team or the team you support travel abroad.  Not only will you not be able to go to a football match abroad during those times for at least the next three years, but neither will you be able to travel out of the country on holiday or business."

Derbyshire's Assistant Chief Constable Mick Creedon said: "I fully support this move.  We will continue to take a tough stance against people who commit football-related offences. Our robust approach to date has led to 103 Football Banning Orders following applications by Derbyshire police through the courts."

Every police force and CPS area will adopt the same protocol to prosecute offenders around domestic matches this season rather than issue cautions or fixed penalty notices.  The prosecutions will allow Football Banning Orders to be added which include passport confiscations.

This protocol between the CPS and ACPO will be backed up by closer working practices, with a plan being phased in to give police direct access to prosecutors who can then give immediate charging decisions.