[20 MAR 01] CRIMES, FIRES & ACCIDENTS
Football Hooligans Arrested In Dawn Raids

Suspected football hooligans accused of lying in wait for away fans in Coventry were arrested by police today in a series of dawn raids across the city.

Police targeted 14 houses in the city along with two in Rugby following a number of incidents in Coventry city centre.

Charges are to be brought against those arrested and a special court session will be held in April to deal with the accused.

Extra officers from the West Midlands Police Operational Support Unit were drafted in to help with the co-ordinated raids.

Supt Mark Sheasby said:

”Those we are targeting are believed to have been causing serious trouble for some time.

“It is our belief they lie in wait for the fans of other clubs in various pubs and other places in the city centre, so that their attacks take place away from the football ground.

“We have evidence linking these people to these crimes and the time has come to carry out arrests.

“Our message is clear, we will not tolerate trouble in any of Coventry’s pubs, clubs or streets and we are determined to detect, deter and disrupt the disorderly behaviour of those who spoil things for the vast majority of the city’s law-abiding football fans.”