12 arrests as fans run riot (From Swindon Advertiser)

12 arrests as fans run riot

8:48am Monday 26th November 2007 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
•  

TWELVE arrests were made after trouble erupted before Saturday's derby match between Swindon Town and Bristol Rovers.

Recent clashes between the two sides have been marred by large-scale skirmishes between fans, and officers made a dozen arrests during the day for public order offences and drug offences.

A heavy police presence ensured that rivalry between the two sets of football supporters didn't erupt into a major disturbance.

Ahead of Saturday's League One clash, hundreds of officers filled the town centre to put a stop to any trouble before it started.

And despite a number of incidents before the match, trouble during and after the game was kept to a minimum, with the most serious disturbance spreading from Regent Circus up to Old Town in the morning.

Inspector Robin Colbourne, of Swindon Police, said that the operation had gone smoothly.

"The game finished quite peacefully," he said.

"It was a successful operation and the police are satisfied with how things went during the day.

"The main objective was to ensure the public's safety.

"It was policed with a firm hand to ensure that those who wanted to cause trouble would be dealt with."

Officers were drafted in from the Avon and Somerset and Dorset forces to support Wiltshire officers.

Throughout the day the police helicopter hovered overhead, scanning the ground for trouble.

Dog units, mounted officers, riot police and other officers patrolled the town centre from early morning to ensure rival factions did not cause any trouble, and fans at the match were shadowed by riot vans parked at the County Ground - a sight not seen in years.

"We have not had vans in the vicinity of the ground for ages, we've not had the need to," said Insp Colbourne.

"But Swindon Town and Rovers fans don't like each other very much. We were taking all measures available to ensure the public's safety."

As the game went into added time, a number of families with young children left the ground early.

And as the final whistle blew announcements told Rovers fans travelling by coach and train to remain seated and wait to be told to leave.

At the train station, travellers looked on as police dogs stood guard along with British Transport Police and Swindon officers.

Blue lights flashed against the dark as riot officers led Rovers fans back towards their train home.

The 12 arrested were taken to Gablecross for questioning and will appear before Swindon Magistrates Court at a later date.

Gemma Rowlands, manager of Yates, in Bridge Street, said the pub had no problems during Saturday.

"It was fine, I think it was really well controlled by the police and pubs," she said.

"Everyone was on the radios to each other all day so we all knew exactly what was happening."