Violence erupted at a club's local derby football match leading to the arrest of nine people including a number of children. Approximately 100 supporters at the Harborough Town FC versus Corby Town FC match were caught up in the incident that broke out at the end of the match.
People have been arrested on suspicion of being involved in crowd violence where rival supporters clashed which resulted in hospitalisation of one police officer and one football supporter. Injuries sustained were not serious and both men were discharged soon after being treated.
The match on Saturday January 28 at Harborough Town's Northampton Road ground, in Market Harborough attracted a record crowd of 934. People congregated to support their respective teams playing the Northern Premier League Midlands Division game.
Tension boiled over when the final whistle signalled a Harborough Town FC victory of 1-0, reports Leicester Mercury. A number of people were treated for injuries by paramedics on the scene.
The two people hospitalised were a football fan in his 20s who was "hit in the face", and a police officer who had been trying to restore calm to an increasingly volatile crowd. Leicestershire Police say their officers were called to the Northampton Road ground to "deal with the crowds" and make sure fans from both sides "left the area safely".
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A dispersal order, giving the officers power to move on trouble-makers, was brought in following the violence and which remained in place until midnight. The police have also made an appeal for footage of trouble that may have been captured by people using smart phones at the match.
An inquiry has been set up where people can submit footage via dedicated link, to share pictures of video with officers who are involved in the investigation. A police spokesman confirmed on Wednesday February 15, that so far nine arrests had been made in connection with the violence.
He said: "Officers have told me nine people were arrested following the incident. These include some youths, some men, and one person has been voluntarily interviewed.
"All those arrested have been released on bail. Inquiries are continuing." Harborough Town's Board of Directors previously issued a statement condemning the behaviour of a "minority" of supporters involved in the incident.
It said: "The club is appalled at the behaviour of a minority of supporters from both clubs upon leaving the ground on Saturday evening. This type of behaviour will not be tolerated and goes against all of the values of Harborough Town FC, and the club will work closely with the police to identify any supporters involved in these incidents.
"Any Harborough Town supporter who is identified to be involved will be subject to a ban from all activities at the club. The club will be making no further statement on this matter until we have concluded investigations with the local police."
Anyone who is able to provide information about the violence, and those involved, who has not yet come forward, should call the 101 police number, quoting incident number 215 of January 28. Officers can also be contacted using the force website.
