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Seven arrests made after disorder at Peterborough United v Cambridge United match




Seven arrests have now been made following the disorder that happened when Cambridge United played at Peterborough United.

The first Cambridgeshire derby for 21 years took place on October 29 but was marred by ugly scenes, which both football clubs condemned.

A police van - stock image
A police van - stock image

Peterborough United apologised after some of its fans sang “disgusting chants” about Simon Dobbin, the Cambridge United fan who suffered brain damage after a violent attack following a match in March 2015, and died in October 2020, aged 48, as a result.

And Cambridge United also apologised after their supporters chanted about sex offences and caused “extensive criminal damage” at the away end, to toilets, offices and the concourse area.

The latest arrest was made on Thursday, November 17, when a 17-year-old boy was held in Bar Hill on suspicion of discharging a firework on a public highway and assaulting three emergency service workers.

He has been released on bail to return to Parkside Police Station in Cambridge on February 17.

Karl Hart, 46, of New Lakeside, Hampton Vale, was arrested in Peterborough on Wednesday, November 16. He has since been charged with a section 4 public order offence – using threatening words or behaviour with intent to cause fear of violence and bailed to appear at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on December 16.

Trevor Johnson, 45, of Parson Drove, Wisbech, was arrested for a second time on November 11. He has been charged with the same public order offence.

He was also arrested outside Asda in Rivergate following the game and charged with being drunk and disorderly in a public place. He is due to appear at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court for both offences on November 30.

Earlier arrests were made outside the Abax Stadium in London Road before the match.

A 36-year-old man from Bretton, Peterborough, was arrested on suspicion of a public order offence, namely shouting at rival fans and encouraging a fight, as well as assaulting an emergency worker, but was later released without charge.

A 20-year-old man from Bottisham, was arrested on suspicion of a public order offence, namely being in possession of a flare and setting off a flare into a crowd. He has been released on bail to return to Thorpe Wood Police Station in Peterborough on January 29.

And a 17-year-old boy from South Cambridgeshire was arrested in Cambridge on November 1 in connection with criminal damage costing up to about £20,000 at the stadium. He was released on bail to return to Parkside Police Station in Cambridge on February 1.

Detective Sergeant Shish Thind, who is leading the investigation, said: “The majority of Cambridge United and Peterborough United supporters behaved responsibly at the match. However, there were a small number of fans who chose to behave in a wholly unacceptable way, and this behaviour has been condemned by both clubs.

Simon Dobbin was attacked in 2015 and died in 2020
Simon Dobbin was attacked in 2015 and died in 2020

“The force, with the support of both clubs, has launched a post-match investigation and is taking action against anyone identified as committing criminal offences, and will work with clubs to secure banning orders where appropriate.”

Earlier this month, following the game against Bolton Wanderers at the Abbey on November 12, United chairman Shaun Grady issued a statement to supporters, saying: “We are proud that Cambridge United is a family Club, embedded in the community, and one where everyone works tirelessly to ensure that the Abbey is a welcoming and safe environment for all.

“It was great to have our biggest gate of the season on Saturday and an atmosphere to match. Thank you to everyone for your support.

“As mentioned after the Peterborough game, it was disappointing that a minority of our fans let themselves and the club down at the fixture. Over the last fortnight a significant amount of time and resource has been invested into investigating the damaging incidents which were witnessed by the wider fanbase, and we are grateful for the co-operation and support of the shadow board who have worked alongside the club’s supporter groups to understand more about what happened.

“It will be useful to discuss supporter behaviour and the supporter experience more generally at the next shadow board meeting.

“A report has now been submitted from the club to the police who are in the process of investigating all the relevant matters associated with the game.”

Mr Grady said one individual had been suspended from attending matches at the Abbey Stadium and, “pending the conclusion of police proceedings, the club will determine if there is a requirement to take further action”.

Mr Grady also commented following a report in The Sun about the use of cocaine in football, in which Peter Houghton, head of operations for the Football Safety Officers Association said: “A friend of mine who works at Cambridge United said that when he checked the toilets after a match it looked like a launderette - there was so much powder there.”

Mr Grady said of the report: “We were disappointed to see the club's name associated with a media report on substance misuse last week. There was an issue in the away section of the stadium at a game last season and, whilst there appears to be a nationwide increase in drug use at football grounds across the country, the club is confident that suitable measures are in place to tackle the problem and are pleased that incidents have reduced so far this season.”



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