Football Arrests in England Rise 14% in 2023-24

The 2023-24 football season in England and Wales saw a 14% increase in football-related arrests, totaling 2,584, driven primarily by a rise in arrests for possession of Class A drugs. This figure represents a continuation of increasing arrests for the third consecutive year, with the number of banning orders also rising by 34% to 2,172. Despite this rise in arrests, the number of matches reporting incidents fell by 17%, indicating a proactive policing approach. West Ham United supporters accounted for the highest number of arrests and banning orders, followed by Manchester United and Millwall fans. The overall attendance at matches reached a record 47 million, suggesting that most fans are law-abiding. The increase in arrests may also reflect improved recording and reporting measures implemented since the 2022-23 season.