Police are calling on English football clubs to ease the security burden on taxpayers as new data reveals record incidents at matches. The Home Office annual report shows a 4% increase in matches with reported disorder during the 2025-26 season, reaching 1,644 games. Meanwhile, total arrests fell to 1,695, down from 1,744 the previous season, but public disorder arrests rose.
Why Police Are Concerned About the Security Burden
The rising number of incidents places a growing security burden on local police forces, who often foot the bill for matchday operations. Taxpayers ultimately cover these costs, prompting calls for clubs to contribute more financially or improve stewarding and fan management. The report highlights that the FA Cup saw the highest arrest rate per attendance.
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Key Statistics on Football-Related Incidents
Below is a comparison of key data points from the Home Office report for the 2025-26 season versus the previous campaign:
| Metric | 2024-25 | 2025-26 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matches with incidents reported | 1,580 | 1,644 | +4% |
| Total arrests | 1,744 | 1,695 | -2.8% |
| Arrests per 100,000 attendees (men's) | 4.1 | 4.0 | -2.4% |
| Matches with hate crime reports | 462 | 491 | +6.3% |
New categories such as sexism and misogyny and violence against women and girls were added for the first time, accounting for 59 matches with reports. Forty-five arrests were made under a new 'unauthorised entry' law.
Implications for Clubs and Taxpayers
The security burden is not just a policing issue; it affects matchday experience and club finances. Many clubs already invest in stewarding and technology, but police argue that more private security should be deployed to reduce public costs. The Home Office statement noted that overall incident increases were driven by new reporting categories, but the trend still signals a need for action.
Key Takeaways from the Report
- Record number of matches with police-reported incidents (1,644).
- Arrests dropped slightly, but public disorder offences increased.
- New categories for sexism and violence against women added to monitoring.
- Hate crime remains the most commonly reported incident type (491 matches).
- Taxpayers bear the cost of police presence; clubs urged to share the load.
What Can Football Clubs Do?
Clubs can reduce the security burden by investing in better stewarding, fan education, and pre-match risk assessments. Some have already implemented anonymous reporting systems and upgraded CCTV. The Premier League and EFL are in discussions with police to develop best practices.
FAQ
Why are police calling on football clubs to ease the security burden?
Because the rising number of incidents at matches increases policing costs, which are largely funded by taxpayers. Clubs are being asked to contribute more to security or improve their own measures to reduce the need for police intervention.
What new categories were added to football incident reporting?
The Home Office added 'sexism and misogyny' and 'violence against women and girls' to the list of reportable behaviors. Also, 'unauthorised entry' became a criminal offense under the Football Spectators Act 1989.
How many arrests were made in the 2025-26 season?
There were 1,695 arrests, down from 1,744 in 2024-25. However, arrests for public disorder increased, and 45 arrests were made under the new unauthorised entry law.
As football continues to grow, balancing fan safety with taxpayer costs remains a challenge. Clubs, police, and governing bodies must work together to reduce the security burden while maintaining an enjoyable matchday experience.
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