Clubs urged to share policing costs amid rising football incidents

Football clubs in England and Wales are called to contribute more towards match policing costs, with recent statistics revealing 1,644 reported incidents during the 2025-26 season, the highest since data collection began in 2017-18. Chief Constable Mark Roberts highlighted that taxpayers shouldered £70 million for policing, stating that the current system, which places no financial responsibility on clubs outside stadiums, is unsustainable. While some incidents of 'high severity' increased, arrests related to football declined, suggesting improvements in police practices according to experts. The report also noted a significant rise in online hate crimes associated with football, almost doubling to 405 cases from the prior year.

• 2:42 PMBBC Sport — Football clubs urged to ease police cost burden on taxpayers