Hooligans 'making a comeback'

Police are studying CCTV tapes to pinpoint the hooligans

Police are studying hours of CCTV footage in an attempt to trace those responsible for the football violence in Sheffield at the weekend.

The move comes as fears mount on Monday that football hooliganism is creeping back to taint the national game ahead of England's qualifying match against Turkey next month.

Violent clashes between rival Sheffield United and Cardiff City supporters on Saturday were described by South Yorkshire Police as the worst in years.

Fans and police were injured and six people were arrested during the brawl when rival factions started throwing coins at each other and ended up attacking officers.

Mounted officers and a police helicopter were called in after intelligence revealed a group of Cardiff fans planned to arrive in Sheffield early to confront local hooligans.

More than 150 officers quelled the trouble which was described by a police spokesman as "the worst we've seen in many years".

Six supporters - five from Cardiff and one from Sheffield - have been charged with offences including affray, threatening behaviour and disorderly conduct.

More than 150 officers were needed to quell the trouble

According to figures released by the Home Office, the number of fans arrested for causing trouble has risen by 19% in the last year.

"That is a significant increase, it is up by a fifth," said Mark Steels from the National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS).

The violence tends to occur away from the stadiums, but Mr Steels described the rise as "worrying".

"The police know that some domestic teams will be a higher risk than others," he said.

"With Sheffield United and Cardiff City, both clubs have had a recent record of hooliganism."

Mr Steels said law enforcement agencies and football organisations were "standing shoulder to shoulder" in an attempt to avoid problems at England's vital Euro 2004 qualifier in Turkey on 11 October.

At least 1,750 troublemakers have had their passports confiscated and are banned from travelling.

I think there is a serious problem with our society and violent behaviour, but I do not think football is the only cause or the worst Malcolm Clarke, chairman of the Football Supporters Federation

The Football Association did not accept its allocated tickets and has advised all fans to stay in the UK.

"In the run-up to the game we have got a poster campaign running throughout England and Wales in conjunction with Crimestoppers about hooliganism in domestic fixtures," Mr Steels said.

"We are changing the posters this week to factor in the upcoming England and Turkey match."

Malcolm Clarke, chairman of the Football Supporters Federation, conceded there had been a rise in the number of hooligans causing problems.

"The arrest statistics were slightly up on last year, but they are still relatively small in relation to the total number of football fans," he said.

Mr Clarke said the problem of violent young men - usually fuelled by alcohol - was not confined to football alone.

"I think there is a serious problem with our society and violent behaviour, but I do not think football is the only cause or the worst."