Rare football violence sparks Investigation
A Humberside Police investigation is expected to focus on why a reportedly known high number of risk supporters were allowed to travel to a football match.
A Humberside Police investigation is expected to focus on why a reportedly known high number of risk supporters were allowed to travel to a football match.
It follows unusual scenes of violence involving both Hull City and Millwall fans before and during this weekends fixture at the KC Stadium.
According to reports in the media, Humberside Police Chief Inspector Darren Downs, in charge of match-day operations, had received intelligence establishing that up to 500 Millwall fans known to pose a risk would be attending the match.
During the incident, rival fans were seen throwing bottles and chairs inside the stadium.
Around 280 officers are reported to have been assigned to crowd control duties almost double the usual number.
A spokesperson for the UK Football Policing Unit said the incident was unusual but that the issue of sharing intelligence should be addressed by the post-match investigation.
An investigation must seek to determine why if there were so many risk supporters they were allowed to travel to the match. The whole purpose of the intelligence structure is to target risk supporters and remove them from a football environment.
The Football Association (FA) confirmed that it was investigating the matter in conjunction with the football clubs and the police.
In a statement issued by Humberside Police, Chief Insp Downs said: We treat incidents such as this very seriously and are working alongside other forces to identify those involved. Experience has taught us that there are very few quick wins in investigations following this type of disorder and we have a lot of footage to review.
CCTV cameras captured the incidents, which occurred both inside and outside the ground, before the fixture and during the match, resulting in a number of fans being arrested.