There were 14 Swindon Town fans arrested last season for football-related offences, new figures show, and at least one person breached a banning order.
The arrests are an increase on the 13 arrested last season with violent and public disorder being the two most common offences.
There were:
• Five arrests for public disorder
• Five arrests for violent disorder
• Three arrests for entering a stadium in possession of class A drugs
• An arrest for the possession of pyrotechnics
Arrests of Swindon fans are more common at away games, when nine were made last season. There were five arrests at home games.
Meanwhile, court records show one person breached an order banning him from the County Ground.
James Farmer, 28, of Mustang Way, Swindon, was one of 15 Swindon fans banned from STFC matches after they appeared in court in 2022 charged with violent disorder against away fans.
The supporters allegedly chased a coach carrying Bradford fans through streets near the Magic Roundabout, throwing objects in its direction after a 3-1 defeat to Bradford City on October 23, 2021.
READ MORE: 15 Town fans banned from matches after Bradford bus attack charges
They were ordered not to enter any town or city that Swindon Town, or the England national team, are playing in on that day.
Now in September 2024, Farmer pleaded guilty to breaking that ban by failing to notify police of a change of address. He received got a conditional discharge and had to pay £85 in court costs.
Four new banning orders were handed out to Swindon fans last season, with 25 over the past five years.
20 Swindon Town supporters were subject to banning orders as of the end of the season, prohibiting them from attending football matches for a set period.
The team with the most football-related arrests in the 2023/24 season was West Ham United (103) followed by Manchester City and United (88), Arsenal (85) and Chelsea (67).
There were 174 football-related arrests last season at League Two club games, as opposed to 2,584 at Premier League games.
As well as a local increase, there has been a 14 per cent increase to 2,584 in arrests connected with national teams abroad and domestic football in England and Wales.
National Police Chiefs’ Council’s lead for football policing, Chief Constable Mark Roberts, cautioned it was important to put these figures into context.
"Last season around 47 million people attended men’s domestic and international matches, the highest number we have on record, and the vast majority of football fans are law-abiding citizens who want to support their team," he said.
"However, there are a small number of fans who commit offences, and we will continue to work closely with the CPS and our other partners to ensure that those responsible are held accountable."
A statement from the Football Supporters Association said less attention should be given to this minority of trouble-makers, adding: "The problem with this hyper-focus on arrest tables is it makes football seem like a dangerous place, which kids and families should steer clear of, and that’s just not true."
The body would like to see fewer arrests, but admitted "at almost any sports event, street carnival or music festival there are going to be incidents".
Wiltshire Police and Swindon Town Football Club did not respond to a request for comment.
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