News

11/03/2008 - 'Star wars' chaos on fans' train

A Train carrying Nottingham Forest fans back from Crewe had to be evacuated after a fluorescent light was smashed and brandished "like a Star Wars light sabre".

It caused dangerous gas to leak into the compartment as supporters travelled back from the League One match on Saturday.

The head of British Transport Police in Nottingham says the behaviour of some Forest fans travelling by train to away games is getting worse.

Inspector Alan Radford said he would seek football banning orders against those causing trouble.

He said: "We are experiencing the worst behaviour by some travelling Forest fans for two seasons. A lot of it is alcohol induced and we are having to police these fans far more rigorously.

"I want to make it clear that we will not hesitate in arresting those causing trouble and will seek banning orders to stop them travelling to and attending any match involving Nottingham Forest."

The latest incident happened on an East Midlands Train.

Insp Radford said: "Eye-witnesses said there were around 60 Forest fans on the two-carriage train when an individual began waving a long fluorescent light around like a Luke Skywalker light sabre before it came loose and smashed.

"It caused a serious health and safety hazard and train staff had to act quickly to evacuate the carriage.

"There were also a lot of small and sharp glass fragments lying around after the incident which could also have caused injury."

A man from Nottingham was arrested in connection with the incident after the 7.07pm Crewe to Derby service pulled in at Derby train station at 8.15pm.

He has been bailed until March 24 pending further inquiries. Police said they were expecting to make a further arrest in connection with the incident this week.

A spokesman for East Midlands Trains said: "There was an incident on one of our Crewe to Derby trains on Saturday and we are working closely with the police to resolve the matter.

"We are very disappointed when this sort of thing happens."

Anyone with information on Saturday's incident or any other incident involving football fans in Notts can contact British Transport Police on 0115 957 6510.