Focus session delivered to young football fans following disorder in Burton town centre

We’ve held a focused education session with a number of young football fans in Burton-on-Trent following a recent incident of disorder in the town centre.

The youngsters, who had been banned from going to matches following the disorder on New Year’s Day, were invited to the session along with their parents and guardians at Burton Albion’s home ground, Pirelli Stadium, last Thursday (6 March).

The focus group was delivered by a familiar face for Burton Albion fans, PC Rich Lymer. He’s been working closely with the football club, our violence reduction unit, the Football Association and wider partners to engage with football fans across Staffordshire and to keep people safe on matchdays.

CCTV footage from the town centre on New Year’s Day was played back to their parents to show them the level of disorder they caused.

On New Year’s Day, the group posted a string of messages online goading opposition fans to meet them at Burton train station. The group inflated to 23 members when they started running through the town centre trying to find opposing fans. We acted proactively and stopped them at the scene after it was reported that one of the group was carrying a weapon. It ended up being a bike pump, but looked like a hammer or a bladed weapon to those in the local community who saw the disorder happening.

PC Lymer, who engages closely with fans across a number of football clubs in Staffordshire on a daily basis, explained to the youngsters how they can safeguard themselves from harm during the session.

He said: “Burton Albion is known by us, the fans, and people in the local community as a family club. It doesn’t have issues with youth violence, but engagement like this is absolutely vital in making sure it stays that way.

“This group caused a great deal of alarm and distress on New Year’s Day when this incident happened. We acted quickly with the football club to secure bans on them until we could deliver this session and change their behaviour.

“We’ve been very clear with those involved that we’re committed to working closely with them as long as they co-operate with us, but we will always take robust action against those actively engaging in crime and disorder in Staffordshire.

“We’ve got a strong relationship with the club and Burton Albion fans, and we’re using that to our advantage. We’re helping to educate young fans on the dangers associated with this type of behaviour, giving them a chance to remove themselves from those associated with football violence and continue enjoying matchdays in a safe way.”

Burton Albion CEO Fleur Robinson said: "Burton Albion FC takes great pride in our role at the heart of the local community, and we are pleased to be working with Staffordshire Police on this new initiative. We do not like resorting to extreme measures when it comes to fan behaviour, so welcome the chance to act as leaders in educating and shaping positive conduct.

“We must continue to ensure that Pirelli Stadium is a safe and welcoming environment for everyone who visits us."