§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis as to what crowd trouble occurred inside and outside the ground at the Littlewoods Cup Final on 9 April; how many people were arrested, distinguishing between those arrested by mounted officers and others; how many people have subsequently been charged; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggI understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that no significant crowd trouble occurred inside Wembley stadium, but that there were incidents of crowd trouble outside the ground, the most serious of which happened at approximately 3 pm and required the assistance of mounted officers in order to separate rival supporters. Mounted officers were involved in 26 of the 66 arrests made. Sixty five people were subsequently charged. Such incidents demonstrate that further action is necessary in respect of football hooliganism. The Government believe that the proposed national membership scheme will help to break the link between violence and football by excluding from grounds, and thereby deterring from travelling to matches, those who cause trouble.