West Midlands Police have arrested four men in connection with disorder that followed a Wolverhampton Wanderers match against Stoke City, sending what officers describe as a “clear message” ahead of this weekend’s Black Country Derby.
The arrests relate to reports of disorder in Wolverhampton city centre after the match on August 29. Three men were detained early this morning (September 15) at addresses in Wolverhampton, Willenhall, and Birmingham. A fourth man, aged 55, was arrested at a police station this afternoon on suspicion of affray.
Charges and bail conditions
Three men, aged 64, 54, and 37, have been charged with a public order offence. The 64-year-old has also been charged with obstructing and assaulting a police officer. All three have been released on police bail with strict conditions and are due to appear at Dudley Magistrates' Court next month.
The bail conditions include a ban on attending any regulated football fixture and a prohibition on entering Wolverhampton city centre in the hours before and after any Wolverhampton Wanderers football fixture.
Police statement on matchday violence
Insp Nick Burton, from the West Midlands Police Football Unit, said: “These arrests should send a clear message that we will not tolerate violence before, during or after matches.”
He added: “Our dedicated teams work to identify and detain those suspected of being involved in such violence and that work remains constant, consistent and relentless.”
Context ahead of the derby
The arrests come ahead of Wolves’ match against West Bromwich Albion at Molineux on Sunday (September 20). The previous Black Country derby was marred by fighting and resulted in a temporary stoppage of play.
Investigations into the disorder on August 29 remain ongoing. Anyone with information can contact police via 101 quoting crime reference number 20/380807/26.
