Dan Roan has revealed the point a West Ham United source made in response to the statistic of the highest number of football-related arrests.
The BBC News sports editor posted on X [26 September] to report what his Hammers source has informed him, that a larger police presence has culminated in more arrests.
The club’s European matches have required more policing, with the club having had 103 football-related arrests from fans in 2023-24 according to the Home Office, the highest number in England and Wales for a third consecutive year.
Roan shared: “WH source also made [the] point that [they have] played regular European football in recent seasons, resulting in an increased number of fixtures, as well as an increase in police presence in the stadium owing to a higher category of match.”
West Ham United proactive with policing
This statistic – and the fact it has left the club top of an unwanted chart for three years now – can be looked at two ways.
West Ham have spun it into a positive, that their zero-tolerance approach to discrimination and violence has called for proactive policing and subsequently more arrests made, with fans having also been credited for their behaviour abroad.
The club will also look at the amount of crime they see to be taking place at the London Stadium, however, and must continue to do their utmost to stay on top of it.
Manchester City and Manchester United fans had the next highest number of arrests in 2023-24, each with 88, followed by 85 for Arsenal and 67 for Chelsea.
There has also been a general rise by 14% from last season and includes arrests made overseas and at Euro 2024.
