OFFICERS from the North and East Operational Command Unit are warning those responsible for causing violence before and after Aldershot Football Club's match on Saturday that their behaviour will not be tolerated. Home and away supporters clashed in one of the town's pubs prior to Aldershot's fixture against Oxford, and further public disorder ensued after the game. A larger police presence was at the game to manage supporters for what was anticipated to be a well-attended fixture, however tensions were running high between the two teams' followers. This included clashes in the street with offenders as young as 13 challenging officers and throwing missiles as they tried to maintain public order. Five people were arrested for public-order offences. Inspector 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." Anyone with any information about the public-order incidents should contact Aldershot police station on 0845 045 45 45 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
