Source: Team_Talk
Four held in cup final riot swoops
All four men from Scotland were held in the Glasgow area after a joint operation by Greater Manchester and Strathclyde Police.[LNB]They were arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and were being taken to Chadderton police station in Greater Manchester for questioning.[LNB]Police said the four suspects were a 24-year-old from East Mains, East Kilbride, a 21-year-old from East Kilbride, a 34-year-old from Bearsden, Glasgow, and a 36-year-old from Glasgow.[LNB]Police warned this was just the first in a series of co-ordinated raids.[LNB]Greater Manchester Police (GMP) were inundated with calls from the public after posting CCTV photographs of dozens of people believed to have been involved in the disorder on May 14 last year on its website.[LNB]The appeal to catch those responsible also featured on the BBC's Crimewatch UK TV show.[LNB]An estimated 150,000 Rangers fans travelled to Manchester for the Glasgow club's match with Zenit St Petersburg at the City of Manchester Stadium.[LNB]Many fans had been drinking heavily all day before rioting broke out after a screen in the largest fan zone failed before kick-off.[LNB]Hundreds of Rangers fans then clashed with police in hours of running battles in Manchester city centre.[LNB]The police launched Operation Gale to find those responsible. Over recent months officers have ploughed through hours of CCTV, identifying those suspected of being involved.[LNB]Detective Superintendent Geoff Wessell, who is leading the investigation for GMP, said: "The appalling events of 14 May 2008 have not been forgotten by GMP or the people of Manchester.[LNB]"The operation to bring those responsible to justice has been large and complex, but we have to remember that we were dealing with wanton violence on a large scale. Trouble of that magnitude takes time to investigate properly and it cannot be allowed to go unpunished.[LNB]"We want these arrests to send out a clear message - if you bring violence to the streets of Manchester, GMP will stop at nothing to bring you to justice.[LNB]"I also want to thank everyone who took the time to view our images online and provide us with information. Without the help of the public we would not be in a position to make the arrests."[LNB]Anyone with information should call the dedicated Operation Gale hotline on 0161 856 4034.[LNB][LNB]
