Post by saturdaysheros on Sept 4, 2006 1:39:23 GMT -5
POLICE have charged nine suspected football hooligans after trouble flared in Blackpool.
The men were formally charged yesterday by the police's Football Operation team after being arrested in dawn raids in April.
The organised sweep of addresses in Mereside, South Shore, North Shore and Marton was launched following trouble before and after Blackpool's League One match with Nottingham Forest in February.
Around 200 men clashed outside The Castle pub, on Central Drive, in the hours leading up to the Saturday
afternoon kick-off and the match was marred by fighting in the stands.
After the game sporadic fighting broke out around Bloomfield Road and on the neighbouring leisure park, forcing mounted police and officers dressed in riot gear to go in to restore order.
All of the men arrested have been charged with a variety of offences including breaches of public order, violent disorder and affray. Some have been charged with more than one offence.
PC Ian Berry, Blackpool Police's Football Intelligence Officer, said: "All of the men charged are now in the court system and in the event of a conviction we will be seeking football banning orders."
Police also fired a warning to local troublemakers who have travelled to Germany for the World Cup.
PC Berry added: "We are in close contact with the UK police forces out in Germany and will be assisting them if needed.
"Offences committed in Germany will get the same treatment as if they were committed at Bloomfield Road and once those responsible return to the UK we will be looking to take appropriate action.
* THE nine men charged have been bailed to appear at Blackpool Magistrates' Court on July 4.
21 June 2006
« Previous PageNext »
The men were formally charged yesterday by the police's Football Operation team after being arrested in dawn raids in April.
The organised sweep of addresses in Mereside, South Shore, North Shore and Marton was launched following trouble before and after Blackpool's League One match with Nottingham Forest in February.
Around 200 men clashed outside The Castle pub, on Central Drive, in the hours leading up to the Saturday
afternoon kick-off and the match was marred by fighting in the stands.
After the game sporadic fighting broke out around Bloomfield Road and on the neighbouring leisure park, forcing mounted police and officers dressed in riot gear to go in to restore order.
All of the men arrested have been charged with a variety of offences including breaches of public order, violent disorder and affray. Some have been charged with more than one offence.
PC Ian Berry, Blackpool Police's Football Intelligence Officer, said: "All of the men charged are now in the court system and in the event of a conviction we will be seeking football banning orders."
Police also fired a warning to local troublemakers who have travelled to Germany for the World Cup.
PC Berry added: "We are in close contact with the UK police forces out in Germany and will be assisting them if needed.
"Offences committed in Germany will get the same treatment as if they were committed at Bloomfield Road and once those responsible return to the UK we will be looking to take appropriate action.
* THE nine men charged have been bailed to appear at Blackpool Magistrates' Court on July 4.
21 June 2006
« Previous PageNext »