Number of Clarets arrested goes down

Out of the 45, 19 were arrested at home games and 26 at away games. The arrests were for a wide range of offences. 2 for violent disorder, 10 for more minor public disorder, 2 for throwing missiles, 3 for racist chanting, 6 for running on the pitch, 20 for alcohol related offences, and 2 miscellaneous offences. The total figure of 45 puts us slightly above the average for the division and quite a long way behind Manchester City and Millwall who had 106 and 103 arrests respectively.

The figures might not look too bad but there is no room for complacency as, although the general trend is downwards, last season saw the total number arrested at all Division 1 matches increase from 816 to 976, the first increase in 4 years.

Of course the number of arrests don’t tell the full story with the Police, for good reason, looking to contain the most violent incidents rather than plunge in trying to arrest people. This can be the only explanation for the arrests of Millwall supporters being so low as they seemed to be involved in several full-scale riots last season.

At Turf Moor there have been disturbing incidents in the Lower James Hargreaves stand including the throwing of missiles at Marlon Broomes (then of Sheffield Wednesday) as he was carried away on a stretcher whilst fans young and old, male and female either laughed at his plight or hurled abuse.

In addition there was a perception amongst some Burnley supporters last season that the use of and threat of violence in and around Harry Potts Way, Yorkshire St., Church St. and Centenary Way was worse in 2001/02 than it has ever been.

Whilst the number of arrests gives the impression that things are getting better there are still elements of the Turf Moor crowd that think it is OK to behave in a way that the vast majority of fans do not find acceptable and should not tolerate.

This week Clarets Mad launched a campaign called I Support Burnley, which you can read of by clicking HERE. Since it was launched the fans that have contacted us have given it almost universal support.

We are realistic enough to know that it will not change things overnight and it was never intended to do so. It is a campaign aimed at getting people to think about their behaviour and the behaviour of others. In the long term it is hoped that attitudes will be changed and if that happens for the better to only a small degree then it will have been worthwhile.

Whilst the number of arrests going down gives cause for cautious optimism we can all play a part in making Turf Moor a safer and happier place to be whatever is happening on the pitch.