Arrests made after violent scenes overshadow West Ham match
A Chelsea fan taunts West Ham United fans at London Stadium. Picture: Empics - Credit: EMPICS Sport
Seven men have been arrested after riot police were forced to enter the London Stadium during fighting between West Ham and Chelsea fans.
Riot police had to intervene inside the London Stadium for the first time at the Chelsea V West Ham match. Picture: PA images - Credit: PA Wire/PA Images
Seats, bottles and other objects were thrown as hundreds of supporters clashed at last night’s game during the West Ham club’s 2-1 win over Chelsea.
Seven men were arrested for public order offences and are currently in custody at various police stations.
West Ham United said fans “found to have acted improperly” will receive a lifetime ban.
A spokesman for the club said: “West Ham United and London Stadium partners unreservedly condemn the behaviour of individuals involved in incidents during this evening’s fixture with Chelsea.
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“London Stadium is fitted with a state of the art Panomera CCTV system which provides HD footage of every area of the ground and has led to the successful identification and subsequent banning of 23 individuals already this season.
“Once identified, those found to have acted improperly will be banned from attending any West Ham United fixtures for life and we will request the courts serve banning orders to prevent these individuals attending any other football.
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Yesterday’s game is the first time the Metropolitan police has had to deploy officers inside London stadium as the radio system which enables officers to communicate with one another safely won’t be fully operational until next year.
In addition to the seven arrests, 30 people were issued with directions to disperse under antisocial behaviour legislation prior to the match.
Commander BJ Harrington, who was leading the police operation, said: “Although the vast majority of people left the stadium peacefully and were well behaved, there were a minority of people who attended the match that were clearly intent on being involved in confrontation and violence.
“Despite extensive work with both clubs and the London Stadium partners as well as a large and robust policing operation, there were unacceptable incidents inside and outside the stadium, before, during and after the game.
“We welcome the condemnation from partners and have already started a post match investigation.
“We will work tirelessly to identify people involved and bring them to justice.”
Anyone with information or witnesses to the disorder is asked to call the police non-emergency line on 101.
