A NUMBER of Swindon Town supporters failed to make it to Kassam Stadium tonight, or even return home after arrests were made by police amid violent scenes in Oxford.

A little under 1,200 Town fans made it inside the stadium, but there were many more who travelled to Oxford and caused Thames Valley Police headaches from late afternoon onwards.

Violence between visiting supporters and police officers boiled over in the hours leading up to match in Botley Road and Park End Street.

The One Restaurant and Bar in Botley Road had been designated as the Town pub ahead of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy clash, but became a breeding ground for disorder among the visiting contingent.

Images and videos surfaced on social media of the scuffles between fans and police, with one Town supporter seen to be hit three times with a baton by one officer.

In the clashes reported outside The One, a Thames Valley mounted unit was used for crowd control and supporters seen pinned to the floor by officers.

When the crowds became too large and too volatile, officers were forced to close both Botley Road and Park End Street, two major roads through the city centre.

An hour before kick-off officers were left with no choice, but to pen several hundred supporters into the gap between The One and YHA Oxford in order to clear the road for traffic.

It was from here Thames Valley made the decision to keep this group penned together and march them back to the railway station.

One eyewitness said: “I was outside The One pub and saw police ringing around it with roughly 150 to 200, what I assume to be, Swindon Town fans.

“There was shouting from both sides and brief scuffles, but no major clashes. There were a few firecrackers let off, but flares.”

It is believed glasses had been thrown as fans shouted abuse and swore at officers.

There were also reports of fans confronting each other at the Kassam Stadium before kick-off.

Police said a "number of arrests" had been made for alcohol-related and public disorder offences but did not provide any more details.

Reaction to the commotion caused across Oxford city centre was put out across social media.

@wix_mark said: “Swindon are shutting Oxford down. Park End Street and Botley Road both closed due to clashes between fans and police. Swindon are owning it.”

@colinmercer tweeted: “Busy day, so busy I was totally oblivious to the ongoing riots between police and Swindon fans outside the office.”

@Mr_CallumWright posted: “Three hundred Swindon Town fans currently have numerous roads in Oxford city centre closed as they clash with police before the #OUFC #STFC derby.”

Ahead of the match, a spokeswoman for Thames Valley Police said: “Police have been working closely with the football club to ensure a safe and enjoyable match. There will be a police presence in the city this evening, and at the stadium, from now and into the evening.”