POLICING Wrexham AFC matches over the last few years has cost more than a quarter of a million pounds, it has been confirmed.

Freedom of information data obtained by the Leader from North Wales Police sets out the annual total of costs the force has seen in policing matches, as well as the number of arrests and why they were made.

From 2019 to the beginning of September, a total of £274,859.95 was spent on policing Wrexham AFC matches.

That figure comprises the following annual totals: £3,107 in 2019, £85,218.96 in 2021, £170,127.02 in 2022 and £16,406.34 thus far this year.

No data was available for 2020, given the covid pandemic saw the cancellation of football during that period.

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A police spokesman explained: "North Wales Police applies nationally approved mechanisms for assessing threat and risk to each individual football match. 

"A minority are assessed as requiring specific policing resources and these are allocated by trained public order / public safety commanders. 

"They are trained to national standards approved by the College of Policing."

The data also shows the amount of income North Wales Police has received from 2021 to date.

In total, the force has received £39,120.88 in relation to policing matches - mostly supplied by Wrexham AFC.

The spokesman continued: "In accordance with the law and particular court judgements, the police cannot expect to recoup the full costs of policing football. 

"The force works with the club to meet their requirements for resources inside the ground itself, but also has responsibility for ensuring wider public safety before, during and after the matches. Hence, public safety rather than cost is the key principle."

In terms of arrests, none have been made in the following years: 2019/20, 2020/21 and 2023/24.

However there were 14 arrests made and 9 football banning orders issued in 2021/22.

Of those arrests one was made for assault, seven were for throwing missiles, one was for drugs supply and five were for pitch encroachment.

In 2022/23, seven arrests were made and one football banning order was made.

Of the arrests, three were for public order offences, two were for 'pyro' offences and two were for drugs offences.

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The police spokesman said: "North Wales Police takes a robust approach to people who commit anti-social or criminal acts associated with football. 

"We do this to protect the safety of the vast majority of the fans who simply wish to support their team. 

"The force has a number of bans in place at present, and these are granted by the courts where appropriate. 

"We will continue to take this approach in future as it is in our communities' interest to do so."