'Mindless thuggery' as 30 Wolves, Albion and Villa fans brawl on train
Up to 30 suspected Wolves, West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa fans were involved in violence on a train where belts were used as weapons, it emerged today.
The fight broke out on the 6.45pm train from Birmingham New Street to Worcester on Saturday.
It followed West Brom's 1-0 win over Aston Villa at Villa Park on Saturday, while Wolves drew at home to Brighton.
British Transport Police said the fight died down until the train got to Droitwich Spa, when the supporters again began to assault one another - using belts as weapons - before getting off the train at Worcester Foregate Street station.
The suspects are all described as white and in their mid 30s.
Pc Ben Smith from British Transport Police said: "This was a totally unnecessary and mindless act of thuggery, which must have been shocking for the other passengers in the carriage to have witnessed. Those involved should be ashamed of themselves.
"We are committed to stamping out football-related violence on the rail network and we are doing all we can to identify the individuals concerned, including examining CCTV and making enquiries with local police forces.
"While our investigation is in its early stages, we are already in the process of speaking to some members of the public who were on board at the time and we would encourage anyone else who saw what happened to contact us."
British Transport Police is now appealing for witnesses to the fight.
Anyone with information should call 0800 40 50 40, text 61016 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. People should quote incident reference MSUB/B4 22/09/15.
