Investigation into cricket crowd trouble at Headingley

Headingley Stadium - Police investigate crowd trouble Credit: ITV Calendar

West Yorkshire Police has launched an investigation into crowd problems during the Pakistan and Afghanistan World Cup cricket match.

Officers were called to Yorkshire's Headingley stadium in Leeds on Saturday after reports of a large number of fans climbing into the ground and assaulting staff on the gate.

Further disturbances were reported involving fans inside the ground and after the game. Three arrests were made.

Now police have reviewed CCTV and mobile phone footage and want to identify people connected with the most serious offences.

Two men both aged 22 and from London, were arrested on suspicion of affray. One was later released without charge and the other was bailed pending further enquiries.

A 17-year-old male from Birmingham was arrested on suspicion of assault after going on the pitch. He was later released without charge.

Meanwhile the ICC has also launched an investigation into the crowd trouble at the match.

Steve Elworthy, ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019 Managing Director, said: “We will not tolerate any anti-social behaviour that spoils the enjoyment for the majority of fans.

“The World Cup has been a fantastic celebration of cricket so far and it would be a shame if these isolated incidents, that are not common in our sport, overshadow this.”

Superintendent Chris Bowen, from West Yorkshire Police, said: “We now have a better overall impression of the incidents that took place in and around the ground before, and recognise the need for a full and comprehensive criminal investigation into those offences.

“Crowd trouble is relatively unheard of in cricket, and, as such, Saturday’s match had been assessed by us as low risk and suitable for a security operation led by stewards without any police presence in the ground.

“We have now reviewed the policing arrangements for the coming matches this week at Headingley."

Anyone with any information or any relevant original source footage that could assist the investigation is asked to email leedsdistrict.DIU@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk or contact Leeds District CID via 101 quoting Operation Deeppond.