The number of Oldham Athletic fans arrested last season
The number of Oldham Athletic supporters arrested last season was less than half that of the season before, it has been revealed.
Figures shared by the Home Office show six Latics supporters were arrested at football games during the 2023-24 season, down from a record high 15 during the previous season.
Latics supporters were arrested for a total of four offences, including:
- Public disorder – two
- Possession of pyrotechnics – two
- Entering the pitch – one
- Violent disorder – one
- The figures also show 13 Oldham supporters were subject to banning orders as of the end of the season, prohibiting them from attending football matches for a set period of time.
Last season, four new banning orders were issued to fans of the club, with 17 handed out over the past five years.
Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox by signing up to The Oldham Times’ morning and evening newsletters as well as our breaking news alerts
-
Across England and Wales, the number of arrests at football games reached a 10-year high, with 2,582 arrests in total.
Despite the rise in arrests, National Police Chiefs’ Council’s lead for football policing, Chief Constable Mark Roberts, said the number of matches where football-related incidents were reported fell by 12 per cent.
Policing Minister, Dame Diana Johnson said: “Our football clubs are at the heart of our communities, which is why it is vital that fans are able to attend games safely.
READ MORE: Shocking CCTV shows girls ‘knock’ on Oldham home and ‘fight’ residents in the street
-
“I am pleased to see the police’s proactive action has been effective in reducing reported incidents, but it is troubling that there are still individuals choosing to engage in criminal behaviour.
“This Government has already shown it will never tolerate mindless violence and disorder and has sent a clear message. If you take part in criminality, you will be caught and you will be punished.”
Oldham Athletic declined to comment.
