HC Deb 28 April 1980 vol 983 cc359-60W
Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of South Yorkshire as to the number of persons arrested before, during and after the Everton versus West Ham Football Association Cup semi-final on 12 April.

Mr. Brittan

On 12 April Everton played West Ham United in a Football Association Cup semi-final match at Aston Villa in the West Midlands police force area. I understand from the chief constable of West Midlands that 24 people were arrested before the match, 16 during it and 16 afterwards.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the West Midlands as to the number of persons arrested before, during and after the Arsenal versus Liverpool Football Association Cup semifinal on 12 April.

Mr. Brittan

On 12 April Liverpool played Arsenal in a Football Association Cup semi-final match at Sheffield. I understand from the chief constable of South Yorkshire that four people were arrested in the city centre before the match and 33 at the football ground. The available information does not distinguish the stages at which the 33 arrests took place.