The number of Aston Villa fans arrested last season - 2023/24

More Aston Villa fans were arrested last season, new figures show.

A policing council and a supporters’ association have both warned those causing trouble make up a very small minority of football fans.

Home Office figures show 26 Aston Villa fans were arrested for football-related disorder in the 2023-24 season. This was up from 23 the season before.

These included:

• Nine arrests for public disorder

• Five arrests for alcohol offences

• Five arrests for violent disorder

• Four arrests for entering a stadium in possession of class A drugs

• Two arrests for the possession of pyrotechnics

• An arrest for criminal damage

In total there were 2,584 arrests made in connection with domestic football in England and Wales and games involving the national teams abroad, representing a 14% increase.

Despite the rise in arrests, National Police Chiefs’ Council’s lead for football policing, Chief Constable Mark Roberts, said the number of matches where football-related incidents were reported has fallen by 12%.

"That correlates with the proactive approach we have seen from police forces across the country," he added.

Mr Roberts cautioned it was important to put these figures into context.

"Last season around 47 million people attended men’s domestic and international matches, the highest number we have on record, and the vast majority of football fans are law-abiding citizens who want to support their team," he said.

"However, there are a small number of fans who commit offences, and we will continue to work closely with the CPS and our other partners to ensure that those responsible are held accountable."

A statement from the Football Supporters Association said less attention should be given to this minority of trouble-makers, adding: "The problem with this hyper-focus on arrest tables is it makes football seem like a dangerous place, which kids and families should steer clear of, and that’s just not true."

The body would like to see fewer arrests, but admitted "at almost any sports event, street carnival or music festival there are going to be incidents". The figures also show 62 Birmingham City supporters were subject to banning orders as of the end of the season, prohibiting them from attending football matches for a set period of time.