Wrexham AFC: Youth-related disorder

Officers policing Wrexham AFC games have reported a growing trend in youth-related disorder this season.

Presently we are aware of a group of 40-50 individuals wearing dark clothing and face coverings, who are attending games on a regular basis.

This group is comprised primarily of male youths aged between 14-17 years old, who are intent on causing disruption and who have routinely behaved aggressively towards supporters of other clubs.

Surveillance footage recorded after games has shown these individuals targeting smaller groups of supporters in locations away from the ground before assaulting them.

Superintendent Simon Barrasford said: “We are not looking to tarnish the reputation of all young fans, but the numbers involved in this type of disorder are significant.

“We are talking about persistent offending, particularly at away games. This requires a degree of pre-planning and organisation from those involved.

“Dark clothing and facemasks are worn to deliberately conceal their identities and avoid detection.

“They are hostile, actively looking to engage in disorder and are seeking out others to attack and injure.

“These individuals are not football fans. Their sole motivation seems to be causing as much disorder as possible before, during and after games.”

Concerted efforts to identify those responsible have already been made, with several individuals arrested and charged for non football-related offences.

Many have been linked with public order and anti-social behaviour incidents in and around the Wrexham area.

Wrexham Town Inspector, Luke Hughes said: “These youths are not merely offending at games but are also involved in general ASB in the town centre.

“These are predominantly young males who are committing these offences and it appears that football disorder has united them with a common interest.

“I have to emphasise that parents have an integral role to play here. I would urge them to take a keener interest in who their teenagers are associating with, who they may be travelling to football games with and what they are doing in the evenings and on matchdays.

“Too often when we speak to the parents of offenders, we’re told that they were unaware of what was happening or that they are unable to control their son or daughter.

“But the offences committed impose a high demand on officers, who are there to uphold public safety at all times.

“Tackling these patterns of behaviour remains a policing priority and my officers will continue to deal with those responsible in the strictest terms possible.”