Police look into football violence

Fans fought before and after the match on Saturday, October 30 and caused criminal damage in Barnsley town centre.

Before kick-off in the game, which ended in a 1-1 draw, Hull City supporters caused "significant" damage to Harborough Hill Working Men's Club in Shaw Lane, which had been designated to the away fans.

After the match, a "large number" of football supporters were in a large-scale brawl in Regent Street, one of the main streets in Barnsley town centre.

Chief Superintendent Andy Brooke from South Yorkshire Police, the commanding officer for football policing in Barnsley, said: "Saturday saw a large group of Hull City fans travel to the game with clear intentions to cause trouble and harm.

"Even though there has been no history of disorder between the two teams and no advance intelligence regarding the group's intentions, we still had enough police resources on hand for such a game and their quick intervention restored order at both incidents.

"I have opened a full post-match enquiry to quickly identify the offenders. We have enjoyed trouble-free fixtures for many seasons at Barnsley and take pride that Barnsley is a safe and family-based club to enjoy watching football.

"Such instances of hooliganism will not be tolerated and our aim is to eradicate the menace."

South Yorkshire Police said the force has now taken a "dedicated" team of officers in Barnsley off other duties to investigate the events of last Saturday.

Chf Supt Brooke added: "A sporting fixture has been spoilt for a number of people who have had to witness fighting or, as with the staff at Harborough Hill Working Men's Club, had to suffer significant damage. We will now work in partnership with both clubs and Humberside Police to bring the offenders to justice and ban them from future fixtures."