Source: Liverpool_Echo
Football hooliganism on decline in Merseyside
FOOTBALL violence is in decline on Merseyside.[LNB]There were 215 arrests at matches involving the area's three clubs last season, a fall of almost 20% on the 268 arrested in the 2008-09 campaign.[LNB]That fall was twice the 10% decline at all domestic and international games in England and Wales, according to Home Office statistics.[LNB]However the improvement in Merseyside was explained entirely by a big fall in arrests at matches involving Everton, down from 139 to 65.[LNB] In contrast, the number of Liverpool fans detained by police rose slightly (from 100 to 108) and there was a sharp rise at Tranmere Rovers games (from 29 to 42).[LNB]It means the Anfield club now has the seventh worst record in the Premiership.[LNB]There was also a fall in the number of banning orders imposed on Merseyside fans last season, down from 51 to 43.[LNB]Thugs sent to prison for football-related offences can also be banned from matches for up to ten years.
