Coventry City and Leicester fans arrested after brawl

May 20 2008

A total of 17 people were arrested today by police investigating a mass brawl between rival football fans.

West Midlands Police said the arrests, made during early morning raids in Leicester and Coventry, were connected to disorder which broke out prior to a Championship fixture on February 23.

The violence in Earlsdon, Coventry, saw shoppers forced to seek refuge in a church and local houses as fans of Coventry City and Leicester City clashed, using bricks, glasses and bottles as weapons.

Approximately 130 officers from West Midlands Police and Leicestershire Constabulary were involved in today's raids on 14 addresses in Leicester and six in Coventry.

Detective Inspector Bob Pettipher, from Coventry's Chace Avenue police station, said he hoped the police operation would send a clear message to anyone thinking of causing football-related disorder.

"Where serious disorder occurs, officers will make every effort to bring offenders to justice," Mr Pettipher warned.

Seven Leicester City supporters and three Coventry City fans were arrested on the day of the violence, which broke out near a pub on Earlsdon Avenue North.

Anyone with information which could help the police inquiry should contact Chace Avenue police station on 0845 113 5000.