Eighteen 'hooligans' facing bans

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/6069482.stm

Version 0 of 1.

Eighteen suspected football hooligans face bans of up to 10 years from stadiums under new powers introduced on 1 September, police have said.

Cases are being pursued by the national football orders banning unit, a team set up to deal with new legislation.

The cases are due to come to court later this year and early next year.

Half of the cases are being sought by Strathclyde Police, Scotland's largest police force, with the other half being sought by British Transport Police.

'No hesitation'

Police forces can apply for a football banning order when an individual is arrested in connection with a football-related incident.

Offences that might result in an order include sectarian chanting, physical assault or shouting racist remarks.

Courts can grant the orders upon conviction.

Under the new powers, chief constables can also apply for a football banning order to be imposed against individuals whose behaviour gives rise for concern.

It has been reported that one of the convictions involves a Dundee man arrested after a brawl in Paisley between St Mirren fans and Dundee United fans on 28 August.

A spokesman for the Association of Chief Police Officers of Scotland (Acpos) said: "We have said that we would not hesitate to seek such banning orders where we believe they are necessary and that has proved to be the case."

Football banning orders were introduced in England and Wales in 2000 and more than 3,400 people are now subject to the measure.