14 arrests following football violence (From News Shopper)

14 arrests following football violence

1:17pm Thursday 8th November 2007

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POLICE have arrested 14 men in a series of dawn raids following a violent football-related incident on a train.

A group of up to 40 men took part in the incident, which occurred at Sydenham railway station on September 1 at around 2.20pm.

The men boarded the train and began a series of random attacks on passengers within two carriages of the train.

The train was full of Charlton Athletic supporters traveling to a game at Crystal Palace as well as other members of the public.

A 24-year-old Charlton Athletic fan suffered a broken nose during the event and several other passengers were head butted, punched and verbally abused.

Offenders were also filmed on CCTV using bottles and cans as weapons.

A team of 150 officers has been assembled by British Transport Police (BTP) to investigate the matter.

BTP Detective Inspector Keith Bennett said: "A majority of the incident was captured on CCTV, which was used by police to identify a group of individuals, including known risk supporters.

"In the early hours of this morning police conducted a series of raids on 17 addresses at locations across south London, Sussex and Kent.

"Police executed search warrants and arrested 14 men on suspicion of violent disorder.

"The men are being interviewed by police in relation to these offences."

DI Bennett said the arrests should serve as a warning to football hooligans that violence and disorder on the railways will not be tolerated.

He said: "Members of the travelling public, including law-abiding football fans, have the right to travel in safety and without fear of being assaulted or abused."

Those arrested included a 29-year-old man from Dartford.

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