23 held over football disorder

Police have been pelted with bottles and missiles after trouble broke out between football fans following a highly-charged local derby game.

Officers arrested 23 people when Port Vale entertained rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers in League One.

Staffordshire Police said it was “confronted by a significant group of home fans” involved in “violent disorder” who had gone out of their way to target police lines.

The force is now scouring CCTV from the day’s fixture, which Wolves won 3 – 1, in a bid to trace everybody who had a hand in causing trouble.

Port Vale said it would fully back any police action against any of its fans involved.

After the final whistle, the trouble spilled over into nearby Burslem town centre in Stoke-on-Trent, where missiles were thrown at officers and a marked police car was smashed up.

There were reports innocent bystanders were also caught up in the melee. Two adults also suffered dog bites from police dog units and were treated by paramedics according to the force.

Among the arrests; nine people detained before kick-off while another four were arrested during the match for offences including setting off flares and going onto the pitch.

Police said they were “disappointed” a “significant number” of fans had decided to cause trouble at the fixture despite lengthy preparation between club officials and officers aimed at preventing problems. The force added fans from both sides had been involved but praised a group of Wolves fans who “co-operated with police by waiting in the away coach park whilst police worked to clear the area”.

Bill Lodey, Port Vale club secretary, said: “The club are bitterly disappointed regarding the violence that has been reported in Burslem town centre. We will fully support any actions taken by the police in apprehending those responsible and they can expect severe penalties.”

23 held over football disorder