Professional Football and Crowd Violence in England: The Case for a Community Approach (From Communities and Crime Reduction, P 164-179, 1988, Tim Hope and Margaret Shaw, eds. -- See NCJ-118256)

• NCJ Number: 118266
• Author(s): J Williams; E G Dunning; P Murphy
• Date Published: 1988
• Length: 16 pages
• Sale Source: Her Majesty's Stationery Office
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

This analysis of crowd violence at professional soccer games in England focuses on the desirability of locating resources and preventive action in the communities from which the offenders come rather than relying on defensive and opportunity-based approaches around the sites of violence.

Abstract

Violence at soccer matches has been the subject of 7 major reports in the last 20 years. However, these reports have generally failed to explain the behavior or focus on long-term policies to involve soccer clubs in initiatives to address the problem. However, some projects have been initiated in several areas to involve local clubs and governments in preventive efforts. Six clubs are involved in a pilot study being sponsored by the Professional Footballers Association to develop a community-based anti-hooliganism effort. The Liverpool City Council has also developed a broad set of proposals. They emphasize a multi-agency approach to prevention and control, with efforts to develop initiatives in the areas of social factors and education, the soccer clubs and the community, transportation and the environment of the soccer grounds, and publicity and the media. Other local governments have also announced the formation of community partnerships with local soccer clubs. 28 references.