Rise in crimes committed by football fans at West Midlands stations

Violence, public order offences and drug use are among the crimes recorded by British Transport Police since 2012.

Railway stations including Wolverhampton, Bescot near Walsall's Banks's Stadium, and The Hawthorns train and Midland Metro stations are among the areas where offences have occurred.

New figures released through a Freedom of Information request show there were 65 offences classed as 'football related' in 2012-13.

But this figure rises to 73 offences between 2013-14 across the West Midlands.

British Transport Police says it has worked with train companies to step up efforts to ensure fans and other passengers have trouble free journeys on match days this season.

Assistant Chief Constable Stephen Thomas, who oversees the force's matchday policing, say alcohol can play a part in disorder but said the majority of fans provide no problems.

Public order crimes are the highest number of offences recorded by British Transport Police with 104 incidents in the last two years.

The number of violent crimes recorded did fall from 10 in 2012-13 to three in 2013-14.

Officers say they use intelligence to identify which clubs supporters follow as part of investigations.

Wolverhampton Wanderers fans were recorded to have committed 23 offences in the last two years, while West Bromwich Albion fans committed 18 and Walsall fans four.

Aston Villa fans committed 34 offences and Birmingham City supporters 35 while one crime was recorded against a Kidderminster Harriers fan.

Asst Ch Cons Thomas said: "The vast majority of travelling fans cause no problems at all.

"Sadly, however, some supporters do go too far, overstepping the mark by becoming offensive and even violent. Thankfully, these incidents are relatively rare and carried out by a minority of travelling fans, but when they do happen they can be extremely frightening and intimidating for other passengers.

"This season, we are making renewed efforts across the country, working with the rail industry to identify the small number of disorderly and racist individuals who give clubs and football generally a bad name."

Activities to monitor disturbances includes monitoring trains, officers travelling with fans to and from games by train, plain clothes work and preventing problematic fans travelling and taking action where required.

Over the last two years the force has secured 93 football banning orders, with four orders for fans from the West Midlands.

Three Walsall supporters were given orders at Wolverhampton Crown Court in November 2013 for affray and GBH. One West Bromwich Albion supporter was issued an order by Sandwell Magistrates' Court in May 2013 for a public order offence.

Football banning orders can be given to anyone convicted of a 'football-related offence' where the courts believe the order would reduce violence or disorder at matches.

People are banned for a minimum of three years and a maximum of 10 years. They can also be stopped from travelling abroad for matches including those at the World Cup.