Violent and sexual crime in Manchester dramatically increases on matchdays when the city’s two biggest football teams – United and City – play at home, MM can reveal.
Statistics obtained for this season showed violent crime rose by 62% in the city centre when compared to non-matchdays, while sexual crime shot up by 39%.
Chief Superintendent Gerry Donnellan, of Greater Manchester Police, admitted concern at these figures and called on football fans to drink more responsibly.
“Greater Manchester Police, through its Public Protection Division, has done a lot of work to ensure that during high-profile fixtures people do not fall victim to domestic abuse,” he said.
“Sadly, excessive alcohol consumption can decrease people’s awareness of what is going on around them and draw them into violent confrontations.
“That, heightened by emotions of what is happening on the pitch, can lead to increases in domestic violence. Show respect for your loved ones and do not make them suffer.
“Our message is that if you are going to drink, please drink responsibility and let go of any disappointments you have once the final whistle goes.”
Over the course of 43 matchdays, when either of the Manchester footballing giants played at home, there were 236 violent crimes and 19 sexual offences in the city centre.
Kevin Parker, general secretary of the Manchester City Football Club Supporters Club, admitted surprise at the rise in sexual crime in particular but was adamant excessive alcohol consumption is to blame.
“The increase in sexual assault crimes was a surprise to me,” he said.
“I would not naturally have thought that there would have been some link between an increase in sexual crimes and the number of football fans being in Manchester city centre.
“I think it could only down to the amount of alcohol that is consumed by some football fans and that makes them step out of line.”
Mr Parker stressed this rise in crime figures is not representative of the majority of supporters and urged all fans to be on the look-out for people who have drunk too much.
“The majority of football supporters are law-abiding citizens who just want to go out, have a good time, have a drink socially, enjoy the game and go home,” he said.
“Unfortunately, we know, from society in general, that alcohol does increase the possibility of crimes being committed.
“We as a supporters club would encourage fans to enjoy themselves at football games and have a drink if they can, but behave themselves,” he said.
“We would also encourage them to look out for other people who have had a little bit too much to drink and make sure that those people don’t end up as the victims of, or the cause of, crime.”
MP for Manchester Central, Lucy Powell, said these figures, which range from August 1, 2012 to March 24, 2013, could worsen due to government cuts to the policing budget.
“These figures place a spotlight on the pressure Greater Manchester Police face on matchdays,” she said. “Government cuts to police budgets could make matters worse.”
In January, Indian-born Prakash Patel, 56, was assaulted on the Metrolink while making his way from United’s game against Fulham with his daughter.
Patel, a bank officer from New Moston, was left with two black eyes and a concussion after being punched 18 times in a racially-motivated attack.
Chief Superintendent Donnellan cited this incident as an example of the violent confrontations that can happen after fans consume excessive amounts of alcohol.
“Alcohol can be an aggravating factor during such high-profile fixtures and sadly can be the spark that leads to anti-social behaviour, abuse and other criminal offences,” he said.
“We recently saw an appalling incident on the Metrolink where an Asian family were racially abused and then attacked following a football match, where alcohol may well have been a contributing factor.
“I want to take this opportunity to highlight that we are well aware that competitive tension and increased alcohol consumption can sometimes provoke abuse and violence, at home and elsewhere.
“I would urge people to show respect and dignity for other people and leave their disappointments behind once the game is over and not take it out on other people.”
A representative of the Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) said his organisation was reluctant to comment without extensive study of the figures and different factors at play.
GMP employ specially trained domestic abuse officers who offer support to domestic violence victims and take robust action against abusers.
If you need to speak to somebody in confidence regarding these issues, call GMP on 0161 636 7525 or visit www.endthefear.co.uk
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