10 arrests during night of protests at Villa Park during Aston Villa v Maccabi Tel Aviv match
Ten men and boys were arrested around Villa Park in Birmingham during a massive police operation involving more than 700 officers from across the country.
The officers were mobilised to keep the peace as Aston Villa took on Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv in a controversial Europa League match on Thursday night (November 6).
No away tickets had been released on advice from police but a number of protests were held near Villa Park, with groups of pro-Palestine and pro-Israel protesters both present.
It is now known that a total of 10 men and boys, were arrested during the night, the youngest of them 17 years old.
Police said that a 63-year-old man was detained on suspicion of a racially aggravated public offence after he was allegedly heard shouting racist abuse during a road rage incident near Villa Park.
A 21-year-old man was arrested after allegedly refusing to remove a face covering while a Section 60 order was in place.
A 17-year-old boy was arrested after allegedly refusing to remove an area subject to a dispersal order.
A 34-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence after allegedly shouting abuse towards pro-Israel demonstrators. He was also arrested on suspicion of possession of class B drugs.
A 29-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence after allegedly shouting abuse towards pro-Israel demonstrators. He was also arrested for possession of class B drugs.
A 67-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence after allegedly shouting racist abuse at a police officer.
A 32-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence after allegedly shouting racist abuse towards a pro-Palestine group.
A 21-year-old man was arrested after allegedly being seen trying to throw fireworks into the ground.
And another man, age unknown, was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply drugs.
A West Midlands Police spokesperson said: "Our officers are being supported by officers from up and down the country as part of mutual aid.
"This has definitely been one of the most contentious and controversial matches we've hosted for some time, but our priority, really clearly, is public safety.
"It's about protecting the communities that live in and around Aston Villa, and reassuring those communities who are potentially affected by the match."
In the days leading up to the fixture, a West Midlands Police Section 60 order (Stop and Search) was put into place, allowing officers to stop and search anyone in a specific area without the need to have reasonable grounds.
The order is usually used when there is a risk of serious violence. Drones were also restricted from flying around the stadium.
The Section 60 powers remained in place until 3am on Friday.
