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Blitz on Exeter City hooligans welcomed by fans
By eleanor gregson
EXETER City supporters have welcomed action by police to drive out football hooliganism in the city.
Their comments come as more people are arrested in connection with a mass daytime brawl in Exeter city centre between rival fans.
As previously reported in the Echo, six suspected football hooligans were arrested earlier in the week as part of a major investigation into organised violence in the city.
A further three men have now been brought into police custody and will face questioning about the incident.
The clash, which happened prior to the Grecian's match against Huddesfield on Saturday, May 8, involved several Exeter City supporters, three Huddlesfield fans and one Plymouth Argyle supporter.
Scores of officers descended on addresses across Exeter and Exmouth as part of Operation Goalpost.
They seized mobile phones, laptops and clothing. Police said the items may be used in evidence for any future prosecutions.
The operation, led by the force's football intelligence unit, is the biggest of its kind for some time.
And police said they are still seeking further individuals in connection with the brawl.
Chairman of Exeter City Supporters' Club, Roger Hamilton-Kendall, said football hooligans "tarnish" the reputation of Exeter City.
He told the Echo: "These individuals can't be called supporters because they bring down the name of Exeter City Football Club and tarnish the reputation of the club by their actions whether they attend the game or not.
"We don't want that sort of trouble at the football ground or in the city centre.
"The club has a high level of policing and stewarding and we don't want that bill to increase so any action taken by the police to cut out such incidents is welcomed."
Police are expected to seek football banning orders for the individuals — barring them from attending future matches for a minimum of three years.
Mr Hamilton-Kendall added: "If these individuals are found to be guilty of being involved in organised violent disorder then we would welcome football banning orders preventing them for attending future matches."
Inspector Steve Bickley, leading the operation, said: "Exeter supporters who are deemed to be a risk have been causing some problems in the last couple of seasons.
"We want to get control of the risk group and obtain banning orders in respect of them and bring their behaviour under control.
"Not only do these incidents of violent disorder affect football, it also affects the city centre."
By eleanor gregson
EXETER City supporters have welcomed action by police to drive out football hooliganism in the city.
Their comments come as more people are arrested in connection with a mass daytime brawl in Exeter city centre between rival fans.
As previously reported in the Echo, six suspected football hooligans were arrested earlier in the week as part of a major investigation into organised violence in the city.
A further three men have now been brought into police custody and will face questioning about the incident.
The clash, which happened prior to the Grecian's match against Huddesfield on Saturday, May 8, involved several Exeter City supporters, three Huddlesfield fans and one Plymouth Argyle supporter.
Scores of officers descended on addresses across Exeter and Exmouth as part of Operation Goalpost.
They seized mobile phones, laptops and clothing. Police said the items may be used in evidence for any future prosecutions.
The operation, led by the force's football intelligence unit, is the biggest of its kind for some time.
And police said they are still seeking further individuals in connection with the brawl.
Chairman of Exeter City Supporters' Club, Roger Hamilton-Kendall, said football hooligans "tarnish" the reputation of Exeter City.
He told the Echo: "These individuals can't be called supporters because they bring down the name of Exeter City Football Club and tarnish the reputation of the club by their actions whether they attend the game or not.
"We don't want that sort of trouble at the football ground or in the city centre.
"The club has a high level of policing and stewarding and we don't want that bill to increase so any action taken by the police to cut out such incidents is welcomed."
Police are expected to seek football banning orders for the individuals — barring them from attending future matches for a minimum of three years.
Mr Hamilton-Kendall added: "If these individuals are found to be guilty of being involved in organised violent disorder then we would welcome football banning orders preventing them for attending future matches."
Inspector Steve Bickley, leading the operation, said: "Exeter supporters who are deemed to be a risk have been causing some problems in the last couple of seasons.
"We want to get control of the risk group and obtain banning orders in respect of them and bring their behaviour under control.
"Not only do these incidents of violent disorder affect football, it also affects the city centre."
