Less than 1% of football arrests last season involved Ipswich Town fans

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.

Sources

• Football-related arrests and banning orders: 2023 to 2024 season