Post by saturdaysheros on Sept 4, 2006 1:34:44 GMT -5
A DOZEN suspected soccer hooligans were arrested today in a series of dawn raids carried out across the Fylde.
The homes of 12 so-called Blackpool FC supporters were visited by police at just after 7am in a co-ordinated crackdown on football-related violence.
Addresses in central Blackpool, Mereside, South Shore and Lytham were raided.
Together with the arrests, officers seized computer equipment and mobile phones.
Today's dramatic action follows an explosion of violence before and after the Seasiders' February 4 home game with Nottingham Forest.
Police believe the violence had been carefully planned – possibly through internet websites and chat rooms.
They spent weeks studying surveillance video footage and receiving intelligence.
Insp Keith Ogle, football operations manager for Blackpool Police, said: "Today's operation should send out a strong message that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated.
"Today's action has been backed by the football club and is as a result of a lengthy ongoing investigation. We have used CCTV footage provided by the club and local licensees to assist in our inquiries.
"As well as CCTV, we've been studying websites we believe may have been used to co-ordinate such violence and will now be looking to shut these down."
Yobs fought running battles prior to the February 4 kick-off. An estimated 200 thugs brawled outside The Castle pub, on Central Drive in the afternoon, with tension simmering throughout the evening, sparking numerous fights and incidents.
All those arrested today will be questioned on suspicion of committing violent disorder.
At one property in Troutbeck Crescent, Mereside, a man in his late 20s was led handcuffed into a police van while his computer equipment was seized.
It will now be sent to the computer intelligence unit while he is being questioned. As well as arresting the suspected louts, police today said they would look into imposing football banning orders ahead of the World Cup.
ben.rossington@blackpoolgazette.co.uk
05 April 2006
The homes of 12 so-called Blackpool FC supporters were visited by police at just after 7am in a co-ordinated crackdown on football-related violence.
Addresses in central Blackpool, Mereside, South Shore and Lytham were raided.
Together with the arrests, officers seized computer equipment and mobile phones.
Today's dramatic action follows an explosion of violence before and after the Seasiders' February 4 home game with Nottingham Forest.
Police believe the violence had been carefully planned – possibly through internet websites and chat rooms.
They spent weeks studying surveillance video footage and receiving intelligence.
Insp Keith Ogle, football operations manager for Blackpool Police, said: "Today's operation should send out a strong message that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated.
"Today's action has been backed by the football club and is as a result of a lengthy ongoing investigation. We have used CCTV footage provided by the club and local licensees to assist in our inquiries.
"As well as CCTV, we've been studying websites we believe may have been used to co-ordinate such violence and will now be looking to shut these down."
Yobs fought running battles prior to the February 4 kick-off. An estimated 200 thugs brawled outside The Castle pub, on Central Drive in the afternoon, with tension simmering throughout the evening, sparking numerous fights and incidents.
All those arrested today will be questioned on suspicion of committing violent disorder.
At one property in Troutbeck Crescent, Mereside, a man in his late 20s was led handcuffed into a police van while his computer equipment was seized.
It will now be sent to the computer intelligence unit while he is being questioned. As well as arresting the suspected louts, police today said they would look into imposing football banning orders ahead of the World Cup.
ben.rossington@blackpoolgazette.co.uk
05 April 2006