ELEVEN Ipswich Town fans suspected of being hard-core football hooligans are out on bail today.They were all arrested in, or following, dawn raids on houses in Ipswich, Stowupland and Milton Keynes last week.
ELEVEN Ipswich Town fans suspected of being hard-core football hooligans are out on bail today.
They were all arrested in, or following, dawn raids on houses in Ipswich, Stowupland and Milton Keynes last week.
The arrests were for conspiracy to cause violent disorder.
The men are believed to have been part of a gang that carried out an attack on Norwich supporters at Ipswich railway station as they travelled home from a game against Colchester on March 31.
The suspects were questioned by officers at Ipswich police station after last Thursday's dawn raids, which involved around 30 officers and was led by the British Transport Police.
Detective constable Alan Reed, one of the BTP officers involved, said: “All 11 were arrested and have now been questioned.
“They have been released and are now on bail pending further inquiries.
“As part of our inquiries we are still keen to speak to any witnesses to the violence at Ipswich railway station or anyone who was attacked.”
Around 25 BTP officers and five Suffolk police took park in last Thursday's raids, which began shortly before 6.30am.
The disorder at Ipswich railway station took place following Town's home game with Plymouth.
Both sets of fans are believed to have pre-arranged the violence and as the 7pm train from Liverpool Street pulled into Ipswich at 8.10pm the fighting broke out.
Several people are said to have been assaulted, including railway staff. Families with young children were forced to scatter as fists and other objects including beer cans flew.
The train had to make an emergency stop when Ipswich hooligans tried to get through the windows as it pulled away.
The service was delayed for 15 minutes until it was able to leave.
Anyone who can help the BTP with their inquiries should telephone 0800 405040, quoting incident number 639/31/3.
Did you see the attack? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.
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