Fan claims 'police brutality' on train after match

Police deployed captor spray while dealing with disruption after Saturday's Hartlepool v York match

A football fan has branded the actions of officers on a train carrying a large number of supporters as "uncontrollable police brutality".

Images on social media showed officers appearing to remove fans from the train, following a National League match between Hartlepool United and York City on Saturday.

The 17:53 Grand Central service was "packed", fans said, as it was the first train available for them to travel home after the match.

British Transport Police said officers used an incapacitant spray to protect themselves and other passengers when faced with "significant disorder".

'Out of control'

Fans said it escalated when the train was waiting to leave, as those on board saw that four or five officers had a York fan on the ground, on the platform.

One man, who was on the train with his two sons, told the BBC that officers then boarded and "walked along the carriage pepper-spraying people indiscriminately".

"It was uncontrollable police brutality from start to finish, from anyone and everyone," he said.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, he said: "We've taken three times the number of fans to Halifax and not had any issues.

"It was out of control."

Both football clubs and the York City Supporters Trust had released a joint statement on Friday urging fans to "enjoy the game responsibly," after the same fixture last year was overshadowed by trouble.

A dedicated York City liaison officer, from North Yorkshire Police, was on the train at the time of the disorder.

A teenage fan who also wanted to stay anonymous said the York-based officer was a "credit to North Yorkshire Police".

"I tried to chat with her [during the disorder] and she actually listened, which was a change from the other officers."

'Significant disorder'

A spokesperson for British Transport Police (BTP) said: "Officers conducting football patrols at Hartlepool railway station dealt with significant disorder between fans at around 18:00 GMT on Saturday.

"In order to protect themselves and other passengers, captor spray was deployed while dealing with the incident."

According to the BTP, three people were arrested, including a man in his 50s on suspicion of drunk and disorderly behaviour. He was later handed a community resolution.

A teenager, who was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker and a man in his 30s, who was arrested on suspicion of a public order offence and possession of a class A substance, have been bailed while inquiries continue.

Police had previously said four arrests were made at Hartlepool Railway Station, with nine others arrested before the match.

North Yorkshire Police said it worked "closely with football clubs and very large numbers of fans on match days.

"We have specialist officers who are trained and experienced in planning how large events are policed.

"As part of this role, we have ongoing dialogue with clubs and other organisations."

Grand Central Rail has been approached for comment.

Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.