Five Held After Football Clashes

Last updated : 14 February 2007 By Stray Shots Team

Police said the violence "included clashes in the street with offenders as young as 13 challenging officers and throwing missiles".

Trouble had flared in one of the pubs in the Hampshire town but continued after the game in the streets around the Recreation Ground.

More than 3,600 people attended the match on Saturday which ended 1-1.

Insp Antonia Weeks, public order commander for the game, said: "Attending a football match is not an excuse for criminal behaviour.

"Fortunately, the majority of people attending the game did behave but the criminal minority not only ruined it for them, but caused unnecessary problems for those going about their business in the town centre on Saturday afternoon.

"Anyone identified as being involved can expect to be dealt with appropriately, which includes being subject to a football banning order.

"We will not tolerate any supporters, home or away, who come to Aldershot to commit violence under the guise of attending a football match and they will be policed robustly if that is their intention."

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/oxfordshire/6356679.stm