Football arrests reach eight-year high in ‘extremely worrying’ new figures

Football-related arrests hit their highest level in eight years last season, new Home Office data shows (Peter Byrne/PA)

Football arrests reached their highest level for eight years last season while pitch invasions more than doubled compared to pre-pandemic levels, new data from the Home Office shows.

The 2021-22 statistics for matches played in England and Wales make grim reading for the football authorities and law enforcement agencies, and follow a campaign which was marred by players being assaulted by pitch-invading fans.