Fans in region are UK's booziest

West Midlanders are the booziest sports fans in the country, new figures today reveal.

Latest Government statistics show some 199 people were arrested and prosecuted for being drunk during or when entering a sports event - mainly football matches.

This could include games at grounds such as Wolves' Molineux Stadium; West Bromwich Albion's The Hawthorns; Birmingham City's St Andrews; Walsall's formerly named Bescot Stadium, and Villa Park - home to Aston Villa.

The figures for 2006 are higher than any other police force area in England and Wales, the next biggest total being 43 for Lancashire.

And they show the number of people hauled before magistrates for committing the offence has more than trebled since 1997 with just 59 prosecutions a decade ago. It is an offence for any person who is drunk to enter, or try to enter, or be in any part of a sports ground during the period of a designated sporting event.

A West Midlands Police spokesman said: "West Midlands Police work closely with football clubs across the region to implement effective policing plans for matches to ensure the public can enjoy them in safety.

"Risk assessments are jointly carried out for individual matches and police and club resources are allocated accordingly. West Midlands Police traditionally take a robust approach to potential disorder before, during or after matches with offenders being brought before the courts."