12 arrests in police zero tolerance crackdown
Last updated 12:52, Friday, 16 May 2008
Police threw a tight cordon around Carlisle last night making around 12 arrests after warning potential troublemakers they would be met with zero tolerance.
Seven arrests were made before the game in a determined effort to ensure a minority of fans who may have been planning on causing disturbances would not spoil tonight's big match between Carlisle and Leeds United at Brunton Park.
Some of these were made as police escorted around 200 Carlisle fans from Botchergate to the ground. During the game a handful more fans were taken out of the ground having bought tickets for rival areas.
Up to five other arrests were made in half an hour after the match.
Chief Superintendent Andy Davidson, in charge of the operation, said that the ground was cleared quickly and away fans returned to the coach park The situation was relatively trouble free and hoped that would continue into the night.
The police stance came after 21 people were arrested as disorder flared before and after United’s league game against Leeds in Carlisle last November.
Police patrols, including officers on horseback, were out in the city from lunchtime onwards.
Chief Superintendent Davidson, north Cumbria’s top officer, had earlier said additional patrols would be out in Penrith in case some travelling Leeds fans stop off at the town.
He added: "We want to make this a safe match for everybody to enjoy, free from disorder. We hope local fans do not spoil the club’s good reputation and the good season they’ve all enjoyed. Leeds fans without tickets are being told not to travel to the area. There will not be the opportunity to purchase tickets at the match.
"This is a large-scale operation. We will be deploying a large visible policing presence around the city and in and around Brunton Park. This is to act as reassurance to fans and also to ensure we stamp out any disorder. We won’t tolerate disorder.
"If anyone is arrested in connection with the game, we will actively apply for banning orders which will prevent them from attending any games in this country.
"We expect the majority of people to be travelling by coach or private transport given there will be no trains available after the match.
"We will arrange to provide as best we can a free-flow of traffic away from Brunton Park.
“We would ask people to respect each other and reflect on the fact that both sides have done exceptionally well throughout the season. This game should be a fitting celebration of that.”
