Ten arrests over 'violent' football disorder

Ten people have been arrested after "violent disorder" before a football match between Reading and Oxford United.

Thames Valley Police said those arrested were a "small minority" of the 12,000 fans who attended the Reading v Oxford United match in Reading on Tuesday.

There was an increased police presence in the run-up to the game and two dispersal orders were in place, giving officers additional powers order people away from certain areas of the town.

Officers are still investigating, and are appealing for help tracing a man who they say "may have vital information regarding a public order incident" on the day.

The long-awaited derby game took place at the Select Car Leasing Stadium in Reading on Tuesday, 12 December.

It was the first time the two rival teams had played each other since 2004, and the match ended in a 1-1 draw.

Supt Lee Barnham, Silver Operational Commander for the game, said the match itself took place "without incident".

"Those arrested reflect a small minority of those in the town centre ahead of the game," he said.

The youngest person arrested was 16 and the oldest was 56. Those arrested are from a range of places including Oxford, Abingdon, Bicester and Wokingham.

They have all been released on bail.

Supt Barnham said officers were still investigating "a number of incidents" and were particularly keen to speak to a man, pictured above, "as he may have vital information regarding a public order incident in Friar Street and Station Road between 6.45pm and 7pm on Tuesday".

He asked anyone who recognised the man in the picture to contact Thames Valley Police.

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