COPS BLAME WOLVES BUT KEEP THE PEACE

29-01-2007

West Midlands police were hailing a successful operation after yesterday's Black Country derby at Molineux despite attempts by hundreds of fans to cause trouble. Unusually, the police put the blame for aggro fairly and squarely on the home supporters.

(Thanks to Mark Wilson for the pictures)

There were just eight arrests for public order offences or criminal damage - a relatively low figure from a crowd of 28,000 - but it's clear that there would have been serious disorder without such a high profile operation by the boys in blue.

Chief Supt. Richard Green of Wolverhampton's Bilston Street police station commented: “Towards the end of the match some Wolves fans left the ground early and a significant element of between 400 to 500 were
intent on causing a disturbance on the Ring Road at Stafford Street.

This element became frustrated at the police as they were prevented from confronting Albion fans and their attention then turned on police officers."

As a result, eleven police officers were injured and both police cars and private vehicles were attacked.

In contrast to the disorderly behaviour of the Wolves fans, Baggies followers were
praised with Chief Supt Green saying: “West Bromwich Albion fans behaved very well and it was a minority of so-called Wolves fans who were at the seat of the trouble."

Were you at the match? Are the police right to blame Wolves supporters of being trouble-makers? Leave a comment on our messageboard.