Police condemn football disorder

Police have described a large fight between rival sets of fans ahead of a League Two match as "disgraceful".

Bottles and glasses were thrown in the street as fans clashed in the hour before York City's 2-0 home defeat by high-flying Port Vale on Saturday.

Officers arrested five people and issued 16 local teenagers with dispersal orders which banned them from the city centre for six hours.

Pc Andrew Pearson, of North Yorkshire Police, said: "It was disgraceful behaviour by a shockingly behaved minority who should be ashamed of themselves. Thankfully no-one suffered any injuries as a result of the incident and those responsible should count themselves very lucky not to be facing more serious allegations.

"We have been checking CCTV of the incident and speaking to people who were present, however it is vital that any other witnesses to the incident come forward if they have not already done so. We would also like to hear from anyone who was in the Pink Pony pub prior to the incident."

He added: "This behaviour will not be tolerated in our city and as a warning to others intent on spoiling the occasion for genuine fans, you can be assured that North Yorkshire Police will ensure offences of this nature are pursued through the courts and football banning orders sought at every opportunity."

Two 18-year-old men from York were arrested on suspicion of affray.

Two men aged 19 and 20 from Stoke-on-Trent were arrested on suspicion of public order offences. Both men were also arrested on suspicion of possessing class A and B drugs along with a third man also arrested on suspicion of possessing drugs, aged 19 from Stoke-on-Trent. All five have been released on bail while inquiries continue.

Another 16 youths from York aged between 15 and 18 were issued with section 27 orders to leave the city centre and not return within six hours.

In a separate incident, two men aged 43 and 23 from Stoke-on-Trent who had been ejected from the football ground were arrested for using threatening words and behaviour towards police officers. The 23-year-old was given a fixed penalty notice for disorder and fined £80. The 43-year-old has been charged with using threatening words and behaviour and will appear at York Magistrates' Court next month.