Football stadiums: the impressive arenas where fans all gather to cheer their team to victory and create memories that last a lifetime. These venues are intended to be a haven for excitement and camaraderie, however, certain Premier League stadiums have gained notoriety for experiencing high levels of crime and football violence—disrupting the overall fan experience and compromising safety.
In this comprehensive study, SeatPick delves into the figures on football violence and football fan arrests to uncover the type of crimes that are taking place, and where this issue is most prevalent.
Stadiums with the Highest Football Violence and Crime Rates
To deduce the stadiums with the highest rate of crime and football violence, we created a crime rate index score for each Premier League team’s stadium using:
- Average number of crimes near each stadium per season (over the last five years)
- Number of arrests in each stadium (2021/22 season)
- Number of football banning orders each club has
Here’s what we found:
- Anfield Stadium – Liverpool
Anfield Stadium, home to the mighty Liverpool FC, was constructed in 1884 and became one of the earliest football stadiums to be built in the UK. This venue holds a special place in the hearts of the team and their fans, yet despite this, it was found to be the stadium with the highest overall crime rate.
Anfield Stadium was given a crime index score of 8.41 out of a possible 10, indicating high levels of crime. Liverpool FC reports the highest number of football banning orders per club, with the figure coming in at 44. On top of this, 48 football fan arrests were made in the season of 2021/22—though the average number of crimes per season totals a shocking 333.
- Etihad Stadium – Manchester City
Etihad Stadium has been the home ground for Manchester City ever since its opening in 2003. This stadium boasts a unique design and impressive architecture, however, it also comes with a less-than-impressive crime index score of 8.10.
This venue reported the second-highest number of football fan arrests in the 2021/22 season out of all the Premier League stadiums— a staggering total of 76 arrests at football matches occurred. The average number of crimes per season was slightly lower, totalling 58 crimes per season, yet Manchester City only have 22 football banning orders.
- Goodison Park – Everton
Goodison Park becomes the second Liverpool-based stadium to enter our top five stadiums with the highest rate of crime and football violence.
With an overall crime index score of 7.78, Everton are faring slightly better than Liverpool in this Merseyside Derby! Everton have 20 football banning orders in place, which is less than half of how many Liverpool have.
Unfortunately for Everton, Goodison Park experiences an average 557 crimes per season—the second-highest out of all the stadiums studied. Despite this high figure, only 58 arrests were made around Goodison Park in the 2021/22 season.
- Old Trafford – Manchester United
The pattern continues, as a second Manchester-based stadium, Old Trafford (home of Manchester United), makes its way into fourth place. These findings indicate that football hooliganism is most prevalent in the cities of Manchester and Liverpool, which could arguably be a result of both the Merseyside Derby and the Manchester Derby.
Old Trafford was given a crime index score of 7.38. This was based on a total of 72 arrests at football matches, 112 average crimes per season, and 19 football banning orders.
- Stamford Bridge – Chelsea
Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge is the first venue in the South to make the top five stadiums with the highest rate of crime and football violence. Stamford Bridge has witnessed many iconic moments in Chelsea’s history, however, beneath the surface of this incredible stadium lies an unsettling pattern of crime rates.
Stamford Bridge scored 6.83 in our crime index score. A shocking average of 323 crimes per season are reported in and around this Fulham-based venue. Despite this high number, only 41 arrests were made in the 2021/22 season, and 22 football banning orders are in place.
Other stadiums experiencing high levels crime and football violence include:
- London Stadium – West Ham United (crime index score: 6.51)
- Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – Tottenham Hotspur (crime index score: 6.35)
- Villa Park – Aston Villa (crime index score: 6.03)
- Emirates Stadium – Arsenal (crime index score: 5.87)
- Molineux Stadium – Wolves (crime index score: 5.39)
Stadiums with the Lowest Football Violence and Crime Rates
Using the same football violence statistics, we were able to conclude which stadiums have the lowest overall rate of crime and football violence.
- Dean Court – Bournemouth
Football is looking good in Bournemouth as Dean Court, currently known as Vitality Stadium, is the Premier League football venue with the least amount of crime overall. This is one of the lower-capacity Premier League stadiums, and it would appear that with this lower capacity also comes a reduced crime rate.
Dean Court was awarded a crime index score of 0.48 out of 10, indicating very low levels of crime. This stadium achieved the lowest scores out of all Premier League stadiums studied across all three categories. Bournemouth FC hold only 1 football banning order, 4 arrests at football matches per season, and 47 average crimes per season.
- Craven Cottage – Fulham
Despite being located just 1.5 miles from Stamford Bridge (the fifth-most crime-filled venue), Craven Cottage was found to be the second-safest Premier League football stadium studied. An overall crime index score of 1.90 was given to this venue.
This stadium sees an average of 9 football fan arrests per season and around 87 crimes occur each year. Aiming to combat these figures, there are 10 football banning orders in place by Fulham FC.
- Falmer Stadium – Brighton
The Seagull’s Nest has proven itself to be a safe space! Brighton and Hove Albion’s Falmer Stadium – also known as the AMEX Stadium – is reportedly the third-safest Premier League football stadium, achieving a crime index score of 2.22.
The number of average crimes per season in and around Falmer Stadium creeps up to the figure of 92, slightly higher than both Craven Cottage and Dean Court. The number of arrests at football matches per season remains relatively low at 24, and just 6 football banning orders are in place (the third lowest of all Premier League stadiums).
- Brentford Community Stadium – Brentford
Brentford Community Stadium, also known as Brentford Stadium, is one of the newest Premier League football stadiums. Luckily for Brentford fans, this Stadium is one of the safest in the UK.
This venue was given a crime index score of 2.70. A low figure of just 15 arrests at football matches were reported in the previous season of 2021/22, and only 9 football banning orders are in place by Brentford FC.
An average of 164 crimes per year have occurred over the last five years around Brentford Community Stadium. While this figure is higher than the other safest stadiums, it is still almost three-quarters less than the figure of the stadium with the highest average crimes per year (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium).
- Selhurst Park – Crystal Palace
Selhurst Park, home to Crystal Palace and their loyal supporters, is the fifth-safest Premier League stadium. This venue is renowned for its passionate atmosphere, promoted by the stadium’s proximity to the pitch.
The Eagles’ fans will be pleased to hear that Selhurst Park achieved a crime index score of 3.49. With only 5 banning orders in place by Crystal Palace, and an average of 27 arrests at football matches per season, matches here have some of the lowest levels of crime. The average number of crimes per season that have occurred in or near the stadium does however report a slightly higher figure of 242.
Other stadiums experiencing low levels crime and football violence include:
- City Ground – Nottingham Forest (crime index score: 3.97)
- King Power Stadium – Leicester (crime index score: 4.44)
- St James’ Park – Newcastle United (crime index score: 4.60)
- St Mary’s Stadium – Southampton (crime index score: 4.61)
- Elland Road – Leeds United (crime index score: 4.92)
The Most Common Crimes at Football Matches
According to football violence statistics in the UK, sexual offences and violence at football matches was the most common crime overall. Across all the Premier League stadiums, a shocking 4,269 crimes of this nature were reported near the stadium from September 2018 to March 2023 (excluding June and July).
This was followed by crimes relating to public order, of which 1,562 occurred. Public order offences are a category of offences that involve behaviours or actions which disturb public order, peace, or the general sense of safety and security in a community.
The third-most common crimes involved drugs (1,067 offences) followed by theft (1,012 offences), then vehicle crime (922 offences).
It is important to note that while these incidents occur, they do not reflect the behaviour or attitudes of the majority of football fans. The vast majority of supporters attend matches peacefully, showing their passion and love for the sport in a positive manner.
Which Stadiums Have The Highest Count of Sexual Offences and Violence at Football Matches?
The highest count of sexual offences and violence at football matches have occurred at, or around, Everton’s Goodison Park stadium, where 787 encounters with violence at football games were reported between September 2018 and March 2023 (excluding June and July).
The stadium with the second-highest count of violence at football matches is Villa Park, where 483 crimes of this nature were reported. This is followed by Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with 443.
Another Liverpool stadium has the highest count of sexual offences and violence at football games—Anfield Stadium experienced 426 events of this nature over the time period studied.
The final venue with high levels of violence at football matches was the Molineux Stadium, home to the Wolves, where 328 incidents were reported.
Are Football-Related Crime Incidents More Common in The North or The South?
This study suggests that incidents of football-related crime are more prevalent in the North. Out of the 20 Premier League teams studied, four out of the five stadiums with the most crime were based in the North, whereas, all five stadiums with the least crime were based in the South.
The Most Crime-Filled Months
Another key finding from this study was that the majority of football-related crime occurred during October 2022. Across all of the Premier League stadiums studied, 602 crimes were committed in and around the venues throughout this month. This is followed by August 2022 with 592 crimes having been committed, and then February 2023 with 566 crimes.
Overall, 7 out of 20 Premier League stadiums report that October is their most crime-heavy month. This was followed by January, which was the most crime-filled month for a further 3 of the Premier League stadiums studied, further followed by February and August which were each reported to be the most crime-heavy months in two different stadiums.
Anti-Crime Initiatives in Football
Stadium Security Measures to Prevent Violence at Football Matches
Football clubs and stadium authorities have increased security measures to ensure the safety of fans, players, and staff. These measures include thorough bag checks, the presence of security personnel, surveillance systems, and the use of technology such as CCTV cameras to monitor crowds and identify potential threats.
Fan Engagement Programmes
Authorities and football clubs work together to organise fan engagement programs that help build positive relationships between fans, players, and the community. These programs aim to reduce hostility, promote good behaviour, and encourage positive support for teams.
Alcohol and Substance Abuse Management
Measures are taken to manage alcohol and substance abuse within football venues. This includes responsible alcohol sales, alcohol-free zones, and awareness campaigns addressing the potential risks associated with excessive drinking or drug use.
Collaboration With Law Enforcement
Football organisations often collaborate with law enforcement agencies to share information, coordinate security measures, and identify and prosecute individuals involved in criminal activities related to football, such as football hooliganism, violence at football games, or ticket fraud.
Anti-Racism Campaigns
Recent years have seen many football organisations launching campaigns and initiatives to combat racism and promote inclusivity within the sport. Examples include anti-racism banners, educational programs, diversity training, and initiatives like the “Kick It Out” campaign, which aims to tackle discrimination and prejudice in football.
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Methodology:
- SeatPick sought to find out which Premier League stadiums have seen the highest levels of crime.
- The current 20 Premier League teams’ stadium locations were obtained using Google Maps.
- Police incident data from across the UK was collected from http://data.police.uk, covering reported crimes from all police authorities. (Note that Greater Manchester Police data was only available until July 2020, so only the 2018/19 & 2019/2020 seasons were considered).
- Python was used to compile a list of crimes within 350m of each stadium location, using the crime coordinates and focusing on the months of September to May, which align with the standard Premier League season, for the period of September 2018 to March 2023.
- Football-related arrests data was obtained from the Home Office. The number of football arrests and football banning orders for the 2021-2022 season were extracted for each Premier League club. The results include the total number of crimes within the specified period, the average most crime-heavy month, and counts of individual crime types for each club.
