28 football arrests as Brighton take on arch-rivals Palace

Twenty eight people were arrested before, during and after Brighton and Hove Albion played Crystal Palace at the Amex Stadium last night (Tuesday 27 September).

Sussex Police made the arrests after incidents inside the ground and at railway stations at Falmer, Brighton and Lewes.

Most of those arrested were held on suspicion of committing public order offences or assault.

A 23-year-old man from Brighton was detained before the game for breaking a banning order.

Mounted police were deployed in Queen’s Road and West Street in Brighton with dogs and handlers operating at Brighton Station.

Some fans were stopped and searched for knives or other weapons as a precaution before the game, the force said.

Inside the ground a dozen people were arrested for public order offences.

One Albion fan needed treatment after being injured in an incident before the match started which led to the arrest of three men.

Afterwards scuffles broke out at Falmer Station at about 10.30pm and at Brighton Station at about 11pm.

They were broken up quickly by police officers wielding batons and using dogs.

Brighton Station was shut for about half an hour.

At the ground prompt repairs are being carried out after minor damage to some seats and a toilet cubicle.

Chief Superintendent Graham Bartlett, the police commander for Brighton and Hove, said that it was not possible to segregate fans at Falmer Station.

He said: “We had a large police presence at the station and on the train.”

Brighton fans have traditionally had a good record for behaving well with relatively few arrests compared with other clubs.

However, Sussex Police and the football club are expected to meet to look at what lessons can be learnt.

Albion lost the match 3-1 to arch-rivals Palace after taking an early lead which they held until ten minutes from the end.