October 9, 2012 11.14 am This story is over 137 months old

Police search for 25 football hooligans after clash in Lincoln

Football hooligans: Police are looking to identify up to 25 football thugs that clashed over the weekend in Lincoln.

Lincolnshire Police are looking to identify up to 25 men from two gangs of football hooligans that clashed over the weekend in Lincoln.

This happened before Lincoln City Football Club’s match with Luton on Saturday.

Police said between 20 and 25 thugs clashed inside The Ritz pub in High Street, Lincoln, at around 1pm on October 6.

Police have now launched Operation Hartford to ensure that they are identified and arrested.

Furniture and glasses were thrown during the violent disorder and a number of people were physically assaulted.

Two women were treated at hospital for minor injuries caused by flying glass. The disturbance also spilled out into High Street and Firth Road.

PC Andy Pearson said the disturbance was shocking and totally unacceptable:

“Two rival gangs clashed, one from Lincoln and one Luton. These are not football fans, they are simply hooligans and it is important that we identify all of the offenders and arrest them as quickly as possible,” he said.

“We need anyone who was in the pub or in the area to get in touch and help us with our enquiries as soon as possible. What took place was totally unacceptable on a busy Saturday afternoon when families are out trying to enjoy what the city has to offer.

“Over the last three years we have done a huge amount of proactive work to target thugs like this and that work will continue. It is essential that we send out a clear message to hooligans – you are not welcome in Lincoln.”

Call Lincolnshire Police on 101 with information, quoting incident number 318 of October 8.

Source: Lincolnshire Police | Photo: Kathleen Anne Drury