THE number of Blackburn Rovers supporters arrested and given football banning orders has doubled.

But police are warning genuine fans not to panic as they say the stats are skewed by a one-off incident.

Forty eight Rovers fans were arrested last season, up 21 from 2006/7.

And 12 supporters were given banning orders, bringing the total to 24.

The arrests were mainly for alcohol offences and public disorder.

Police Constable Martin Crook said: “The main reason for the increase in banning orders is an incident when Rovers played away at Bayer Leverkusen in February 2007.

“Nine fans were issued with bans as a result of trouble inside the ground that day and that one incident has affected the figures.

"At Ewood Park we always deal with incidents of disorder firmly and arrests will be made if people are causing trouble at the ground.”