A Swindon Town fan has been charged after allegedly throwing “an explosive device” towards police officers before a game.

Lewis Hill, who is 22 and lives at Collett Place in Swindon, has been charged with four counts of common assault of an emergency worker and one count of causing unnecessary suffering to a police dog.

The incident took place when a pyrotechnic was thrown at the County Ground before Swindon’s clash with Bristol Rovers on January 22, 2022.

Police had released a CCTV appeal for witnesses after the game after the officers and dog were injured.

A statement by Swindon Police on Facebook read: “A man has been charged following an incident at Swindon Town Football Club’s the County Ground in January.

“Lewis Hill, 22, of Collett Place, Swindon, has been charged with four counts of common assault of an emergency worker and one count of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, namely a police dog.

“The charges are in relation to an incident on January 22 this year, when an explosive device was thrown towards officers prior to the Swindon Town versus Bristol Rovers football match.

“Mr Hill will be summoned to court in due course.”

A large number of officers were in attendance to keep the two sets of supporters separate on the day.

Police confirmed in January that they had made three arrests in connection with the match.

Local crime investigator Michaela Lareine said at the time: "This behaviour will not be tolerated and we are actively investigating this reckless and dangerous act."