15 arrested as trouble mars Shrewsbury Town derby game
Fifteen people were arrested and three police officers injured as trouble marred Shrewsbury Town's derby day game against Walsall.
Seven people were arrested for violent disorder following a fight in the Mardol area of the town centre between two large groups before the match yesterday.
And a number of other incidents also took place inside and outside the ground, with one person arrested for alleged racist chanting.
Richard Ewels, a spokesman for West Mercia Police, said: "Police officers were quickly on the scene and dispersed the groups making a number of arrests both at the scene and later as offenders were identified.
"Other arrests related to minor public order offences, possession of drugs and criminal damage both inside and outside the stadium. One arrest was made for being in breach of a banning order and for racist chanting in the stadium."
Three police officers were injured – with two needing hospital treatment at the Princess Royal Hospital – as they made arrests.
Jane Fitzpatrick, duty inspector for West Mercia, said two of the officers received injuries to their legs, with another officer suffering minor injuries around the face.
Chief Inspector Dave McWilliam said a number of people had been intent on causing trouble, some of it pre-planned.
But he said the police operation had prevented problems escalating any further.
Superintendent James Tozer, writing on his Twitter account, said the majority of people had been well-behaved and he praised police and the football club for their efforts to curb trouble.
Police were on duty inside the stadium, as well as the approaches to the ground, as they dealt with a crowd of 6,495 fans.
