Police arrest 8 in connection with a violent clash between Chester and Wrexham fans

Seven men and a 14-year-old boy have been arrested on suspicion of affray following a series of dawn raids carried out in Cheshire and North Wales.

Police say they have all been arrested in connection with an ‘altercation’ involving rival football fans.
The incident occurred at The Cross on Eastgate Street in Chester before the Chester City versus Wrexham National League match on Wednesday, November 8 last year.

Detectives from Cheshire and North Wales have conducted an extensive joint investigation in an attempt to identify those involved in the altercation.

With the corresponding league fixture between the two clubs in Wrexham this coming Sunday, officers carried out a series of warrants, leading to this morning’s arrests.

Four men from Chester a man from Tarporley, two men from Wrexham and a 14-year-old boy from Wrexham have been arrested on suspicion of affray.

They are all currently in custody assisting officers with their enquiries.

Cheshire Police Detective Sergeant Stuart Needham said: “The arrests are the culmination of a four-month joint investigation with North Wales Police.

“We have spent a significant amount of time gathering evidence, analysing CCTV footage and images and working with our colleagues in North Wales Police to get to the stage where we have been able to make eight arrests in a co-ordinated joint force operation.

“While the majority of football fans who went to the Chester versus Wrexham match on Wednesday 8 November behaved well, unfortunately there were a small number who were intent on committing crime and disrupting the lives of those who live, work and visit Chester.

“There was an altercation between Chester and Wrexham supporters at around 3pm. A number of innocent members of the public/shoppers were present and we received multiple calls about the incident.

“Fortunately no-one required hospital attention and no damage was caused as a result of the altercation, but such incidents will not be tolerated.

“The arrests we have made should serve as a warning to football fans that go to games looking to cause, or get involved in, trouble that anyone who commits an offence will be located and brought to justice, no matter where they live.

“I would like to thank all of the officers who carried out the raids, including our colleagues at North Wales Police. Without their support the multiple arrests in two separate countries on the same day would not have been possible.”