Hundreds of extra officers were duty in Birmingham as Villa played Israeli side in the Europa League last night
Eleven people were arrested around Villa Park in a massive police operation involving more than 700 officers.
Hundreds of extra officers were duty in Birmingham as Aston Villa played Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Europa League.
A number of protests were staged as police tried to keep the peace throughout the night after a bitterly controversial build-up to the game.
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Issuing details of the arrests, police said a 63-year-old man detained on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence after he was allegedly heard shouting racist abuse during a road-rage incident near Villa Park.
A 21-year-old man was arrested after refusing to remove a face covering while a Section 60 order was in place. A 17-year-old boy was issued with a dispersal order but refused to leave.
Police said a man, 34, was held on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence after shouting abuse towards pro-Israel demonstrators
A 29-year-old man was held on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence after shouting abuse towards pro-Israel demonstrators. He was also arrested for possession of class B drugs
Police said a man, aged 67, was arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence after shouting racist abuse at a police officer.
A 32-year-old man was detained on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence after shouting racist abuse towards a pro-Palestine group.
And a man, aged 21, was arrested after trying to throw fireworks into the ground and a man was held on suspicion of possession with intent to supply drugs.
Officers were on foot, as well as police horses, police dogs, a drone unit, roads policing unit, and protest liaison officers, all joined together for last night’s operation.
A high-visibility police presence remained in place around Villa Park through the night.
Birmingham Police Commander Chief Supt Tom Joyce said: “Our officers are being supported by officers from up and down the country as part of mutual aid.
“This has definitely been one of the most contentious and controversial matches we’ve hosted for some time, but our priority, really clearly, is public safety.
“It’s about protecting the communities that live in and around Aston Villa, and reassuring those communities who are potentially affected by the match tonight.”
Police had extra section 60 powers in place until 3am today, Friday, November 7 which allow officers to stop and search people without the need to have reasonable grounds.
