The number of Blackburn Rovers fans arrested over disorder

The figures also included a breakdown of the different types of offences and how many of the arrests were related to each offence.

A policing council and a supporters’ association have both said those causing trouble make up a small minority of football fans but can spoil the experience for the majority.

The number of arrests was revealed by Home Office data (Image: Radar) Home Office figures show 31 Rovers fans were arrested for football-related disorder in the 2023/24 season.

This was the same as the season before, and works out at less than one arrest per game.

These included:

• 14 arrests for public disorder
• Four arrests for alcohol offences
• Three arrests for entering the pitch
• Three arrests for violent disorder
• Two arrests for criminal damage
• Two arrests for entering a stadium in possession of class A drugs
• Two arrests for possessing pyrotechnics
• One arrest for throwing missiles

The figures also show 21 Blackburn Rovers fans were subject to banning orders as of the end of the 2023/24 season, prohibiting them from attending football matches for a set period of time.

Last season 10 new banning orders were handed out to fans of the club, with 22 over the past five years.

Ewood Park (Image: Archive)Nationally, the number of football banning orders in force went up by 34 per cent, to 2,172 at the end of the season.

Elsewhere in the county, the number of Burnley FC fans arrested in 2023-24 was down by 64 per cent, dropping from 50 to 18, on the club's return to the Premier League

This included seven arrests for entering a stadium in possession of class A drugs, six arrests for public order, two arrests for throwing missiles, and an arrest each for alcohol offences, for entering the pitch, and for violent disorder.

There were 39 Burnley fans subject to banning orders at the end of the season, with 12 new ones being handed out in 2023/24 and 35 being issued over the past five years.

Nationally, there were 2,584 arrests made in connection with domestic football in England and Wales, and games involving the national teams abroad, representing a 14 per cent increase.

Turf Moor (Image: Archive)

Despite this rise, National Police Chiefs’ Council’s lead for football policing, Chief Constable Mark Roberts, said the number of matches where football-related incidents were reported has fallen by 12 per cent.

He added: “That correlates with the proactive approach we have seen from police forces across the country.”

Mr Roberts also said it was important to put the figures into context.

He said: “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.

“However, there are a small number of fans who commit offences, and we all continue to work closely with the Crown Prosecution Service 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.”

Blackburn Rovers and Burnley FC were both contacted for comment but neither responded.