Manchester United fans had the highest number of arrests during the 2024/25 season, while all football-related arrests dropped from the previous campaign
13:08, 17 Jul 2025
General view inside the stadium during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and West Ham United FC at Old Trafford
Manchester United saw the highest number of fan arrests in the 2024/25 season(Image: Getty Images)
Manchester United had the highest number of fan arrests during the 2024/25 season, according to Home Office data.
Statistics showed that there were 1,803 football-related arrests across the top six tier matches played in England and Wales last season, a drop of 12% from the previous campaign – 2,043. Marking the first decline since supporters returned to stadiums following Covid-19.
The breakdown of arrests during the 2024 to 2025 domestic football season saw the most common football-related arrest offence types were public disorder at 32 per cent, followed by violent disorder (22 per cent), and the possession of Class A drugs (19 per cent).
But it was United who topped the unwanted table, with 121 arrests. Data states that 49% of those arrested came during home matches at Old Trafford, which is the biggest capacity stadium in the Premier League.
Violent disorder and public disorder were the most common offences, with 34 arrests made. The statistics come days after a United season ticket holder was given a three-year Football Banning Order for slapping Manchester City star Jack Grealish after the Manchester Derby in April.
Jack Grealish
Jack Grealish was attacked by a Manchester United fan(Image: Getty Images)
City had the second highest number of arrests at 94, with West Ham in third on 77. The Irons had previously had the highest number of supporters arrested for three consecutive seasons.
Chelsea and Aston Villa rounded off the top five, with 76 and 71 arrests respectively. Villa saw the biggest increase, having had 26 fan arrests the previous campaign.
In comparison, both Manchester clubs, Chelsea and Aston Villa were all involved in European competition last season. While West Ham were only involved in domestic action with the Hammers out of Europe after three successive years.
Arsenal had the biggest decline in supporter arrests, with a drop of 43. This followed the Gunners having the largest increase in the 2023/24 campaign with 34.
The home office stated that a higher proportion of the arrests came from away supporters, with 980 arrests compared to 806 at home games last season.
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And data taken on June 1 showed there were a total of 2,439 football banning orders issued in England and Wales that were in force, an increase of 12% compared with August 1, 2024.
Policing Minister, Dame Diana Johnson, reacting to the figures, said: “Police up and down the country work incredibly hard to ensure football stadiums are safe, so we can all enjoy our national game.
“Today’s statistics show that these efforts are paying off and strong action is being taken to stop violence and disorder from ruining football.
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“As part of our Plan for Change, we are continuing to make football safer for the millions of dedicated fans, funding the UK Football Policing Unit and expanding drug testing on arrest at football matches for certain offences.”
The figures revealed that 10% (189) of arrests came from matches played in European competitions, and 1% (18) of arrests came from international fixtures.