Rise in Wolves fans arrested at matches - while number of West Brom arrests falls
The number of Wolverhampton Wanderers supporters arrested at football matches increased last season while arrests went down for West Brom fans, according to new figures from the Home Office.
Data on the number of arrests made of fans of Wolves, West Bromwich Albion, Walsall FC, Shrewsbury Town, and AFC Telford United, has been released, which includes offences such as throwing missiles, violent and public disorder, alcohol-related offences, and ticket touting.
The increase in the number of Wolves fans being arrested comes as the number of arrests made at football games across England and Wales reached a nine-year high.
Home Office figures show police arrested 27 Wolverhampton Wanderers supporters throughout the 2022-23 campaign – up from 20 the season before.
Meanwhile the number of West Bromwich Albion supporters arrested in the 2022-23 campaign was 11, down from 20 in the previous season.
For Walsall FC, figures show police arrested eight Walsall FC supporters throughout the 2022-23 campaign – the same as the season before.
Fewer Shrewsbury Town supporters were arrested over the same period, with seven arrested, down from 11 the season before. For AFC Telford United, none of their supporters were arrested for the second consecutive season.
West Midlands Police said the force is "committed" to tackling violence and disorder at matches.
A spokesperson said: "We’re committed to tackling football violence and disorder, as well as hate crimes, violence against woman and girls, and drug use within football.
"We proactively police football matches across the region so supporters feel safe to attend without being subject to violence or abuse.
