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An investigation into football hooliganism by 5 Live Breakfast has revealed a worrying increase in teenagers involved in disorder at football matches.

The number of incidents involving young people at football games has almost trebled since 2007 according to figures from the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO). In September 2010 there were 282 teenagers subject to football Banning Orders, with the youngest being just 13 years old.

The 5 Live Breakfast investigation, to be broadcast on Friday 8 October, reveals the number of reported football related incidents involving youth supporters rose from 38 in 2007 to 103 last season, 44% of the total number of football related incidents, as opposed to 33% of all incidents in 2007.

Official figures detailing the number of people subject to football banning orders, as the result of being convicted of football related disorder, shows that in September 2010 there were 3150 bans across the UK; 282 of which were aged 19 and under, including a 13-year-old who had a three year ban imposed in October 2009.

Speaking exclusively to 5 Live, Assistant Chief Constable Andy Holt of South Yorkshire police and ACPO's lead on football, said: "If people are engaging in football related disorder at an earlier age then we're going to be stuck with that sort of behaviour potentially for some while, so it's something we're acutely aware of.

"People are coming through and engaging in football disorder who perhaps weren't around in the heyday of football violence 15-20 years ago. So this is a worrying trend that the younger element are starting to pick up on this sort of behaviour."

5 Live Breakfast has also spoken to a number of young people involved in football hooliganism, including some already subject to banning orders, including two Coventry fans who are both in their early 20s and have received bans of eight and 10 years respectively following a fight involving up to 100 Coventry City and Leicester City supporters.

Members of Coventry's hooligan "firm", the Coventry Legion, they became involved in hooliganism aged 14 and are unrepentant over their actions saying: "We're prepared to fight whether it's windy, snowy, rainy, we're prepared to fight every weekend through the football season for Coventry City. I definitely think we're treated worse than paedophiles. OK paedophiles have to sign a register for so long, but they don't have to do what we have to go through. They don't have to go down the police station at eight o'clock at night after working a 12-hour shift to go sign their banning card."

The programme will also hear from Derby County hooligans and features footage from last weekend's Southampton v Bournemouth match where there were violent scenes between opposing fans.

Hear the full investigation on 5 Live Breakfast, ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 5 Live, Friday 8 October, 6-10am.

If you use any material from this press release please credit 5 Live Breakfast, ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 5 Live.

Notes to Editors

Football Banning Order September 2010

Youngest Ban DOB: 18/05/1997 (13)
Oldest Ban DOB: 20/11/1938 (71)

Under 15	1
15 – 20	281
20 – 30	1425
30 – 40	676
40 – 50	592
50 – 60	79
60 – 70	4
Over 70	1

As of today there are a total of 3150 bans, 2744 on conviction and 406 on complaint (civil procedure).

Incident stats: Youth Risk Supporters

The table below details the number of reported incidents, the difference in comparison to previous seasons, and the percentage of reported incidents in which youth risk supporters featured.

³§±ð²¹²õ´Ç²ÔÌýÌýÌý	No of reported incidents	% change on previous seasons	% total number of incidents
2006/07Ìý	162	175% Increase	34%
2007/08	114	30% Decrease	33%
2008/09	182	60% Increase	51%
2009/10	221	21% Increase	47%

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