Police: Oxford/Swindon Trouble Kept To Minumum

Thames Valley Police say their operation was a success despite disorder before/during and after the match between Oxford United and Swindon Town.

Swindon Town's supporters coaches received a police escort to the Kassam Stadium whilst fans who got the train were met with confusion at the rail station.

Fans arriving by train were supposed to be bussed to the ground. Two double decker buses arrived to bus fans to the Kassam Stadium however 50 or so fans were left to miss the start of the match after a police cock up meant no extra buses were available and taxi's were refusing to take Swindon Town fans to the Kassam Stadium.

Tempers flared when Town fans were told they had to pay for the pleasure of getting bussed to the Kassam Stadium and bus drivers advised they had no change.

The remaining fans at the rail station arrived at the Kassam Stadium around 20 minutes into the match.

During the match Oxford yobs threw seats, one which hit an elderly lady, a flare, coins and bottles towards the travelling support from Swindon before attempting to breach the segregation area. Trouble calmed down after riot police arrived on the scene.

After the match, a bus carrying Swindon Town fans was stopped after some fans had smashed the double deckers windows and began to throw seats at pedestrians in the area.

PC Olly Wright told the Oxford Mail, "Sadly, there were was a small minority of people who let themselves and their team down by engaging in violent or disruptive behaviour, resulting in 13 arrests.

"Our policing operation managed to prevent any disorder in the wider city despite the attempts made by this small minority who were clearly intent on causing trouble.'

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