Football hooliganism on decline in Merseyside

FOOTBALL violence is in decline on Merseyside.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.That fall was twice the 10% decline at all domestic and international games in England and Wales, according to Home Office statistics.However the improvement in Merseyside was explained entirely by a big fall in arrests at matches involving Everton, down from 139 to 65. 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).It means the Anfield club now has the seventh worst record in the Premiership.There was also a fall in the number of banning orders imposed on Merseyside fans last season, down from 51 to 43.Thugs sent to prison for football-related offences can also be banned from matches for up to ten years.

Source: Liverpool_Echo