More Police powers needed against football hooligans

5.42.00pm GMT Wed 14th Mar 2007

Action is needed to clamp down on football hooligans who travel to matches in Scotland from outside the country, according to Jo Swinson.

In the House of Commons today, MPs oversaw changes to UK laws giving police in England, Wales and Northern Ireland powers to act against Scots holding Football Banning Orders. Speaking in the Committee, Jo questioned the Minister on the same powers being given to police in Scotland.

Commenting later, Jo said:

"At present, police at football matches in Scotland cannot act against hooligans carrying Football Banning Orders issued in the rest of the UK.

"We took a positive step today by ensuring than Football Banning Orders issued in Scotland can be acted on by police in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

"Now parity needs to be extended throughout the UK so that thugs who associate themselves with football are prevented from attending matches in Scotland."

Jo Swinson was taking part in the Tenth Delegated Legislation Committee on the Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2006 (consequential provisional and modifications) Order 2007.

Football Banning Orders were introduced in Scotland under the Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act. Imposed by courts, they are used to ban people from attending games across the UK and other places they are known to cause trouble. A ban may also require a person to surrender their passport to prevent them travelling abroad for games.