Police horse punch arrest: Portsmouth man released

A man arrested on suspicion of punching a police horse during clashes between rival football fans has been released.

Footage circulated online showed fans and police facing off before the Portsmouth-Southampton game at Fratton Park on Tuesday.

In one clip, a man can be seen to take a swing at police horse Luna, before he runs away and is detained by baton-wielding police officers.

The arrested man, 52, from Portsmouth, remains under investigation.

Luna, a Thames Valley Police horse, was uninjured and remained on duty, Hampshire Constabulary said.

Luna was not hurt

Four other men were arrested during the evening.

A 40-year-old from Winchester has since been charged with possession of a firework/flare at a sporting event and throwing a missile on to a football playing area.

Two men, aged 18 and 19, were given conditional cautions for a public order offence.

A 20-year-old arrested on suspicion of a public order offence was released with no further action.

Visiting fans were escorted to the stadium by police to avoid trouble flaring

Premier League Southampton beat League One Portsmouth 4-0, in what was the first match between the fierce rivals in seven years.

Hampshire Constabulary said the game at Fratton Park saw the county's largest football policing operation.