Fall in England fan arrests

ENGLAND's notorious reputation for football-related violence seems to be improving. According to figures released today the number of people arrested fell by 10 per cent last season.

By The Newsroom

Published 28th Nov 2010, 14:16 BST

Updated 28th Nov 2010, 20:37 BST

A total of 3,391 English and Welsh fans were arrested at international and domestic games in 2009-10, down 395 from the previous season.

The figures were welcomed as Prime Minister David Cameron flies to Zurich to lobby Fifa ahead of its all-important vote on World Cup 2018 hosts.

No English or Welsh fans were arrested for disorder at the World Cup in South Africa, compared with almost 950 who were expelled from Belgium in one night during Euro 2000.

But Crime Prevention Minister James Brokenshire said nobody was complacent.

"Police will continue to work with fans and use all the tools at their disposal to ensure that we continue setting a benchmark for the world," he said.