Why it matters: While arrests of Ipswich Town fans doubled from eight to sixteen in the 2023-24 season, this represents a tiny fraction of the club's support base and an even tinier fraction of football arrests nationwide.
By the numbers:
47 million people attended men's domestic and international matches in England and Wales last year.
2,584 total football-related arrests.
16 Ipswich Town fans arrested in 2023-24, up from eight the previous season.
Breaking it down: The arrests of Ipswich Town fans included:
6 for public disorder
4 for possession of pyrotechnics
3 for alcohol offences
2 for violent disorder
1 for throwing missiles
The big picture: Despite a 14% increase in football-related arrests nationally, police reported a 12% decrease in matches with incidents.
What they're saying:
Chief Constable Mark Roberts, National Police Chiefs' Council: "The vast majority of football fans are law-abiding citizens who want to support their team."
Football Supporters Association: "The problem with this hyper-focus on arrest tables is it makes football seem like a dangerous place, which kids and families should steer clear of, and that's just not true."
Between the lines: Six Ipswich Town supporters were subject to banning orders at the end of the season, with four new orders issued last season.
The bottom line: While any increase in arrests is concerning, the figures show that Ipswich Town fans are overwhelmingly well-behaved, with trouble-makers representing a tiny minority.
