Arrests After 'Derby' Match

Over 22,000 fans were at the American Express Community Stadium Amex in Falmer on Tuesday night to watch Brighton and Hove Albion play Crystal Palace in the Championship.

This is the statement issued on Wednesday afternoon by Police

A total of 28 people were arrested during the course of the evening, 20 of which were directly in relation to the football match. There are likely to be more arrests following further enquiries.

Brighton and Hove Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Graham Bartlett said: "We were aware from intelligence and history that last night's game was going to be a big event for both sets of fans and so, together with the club and British Transport Police we planned the policing operation accordingly.

"We have been working closely with Brighton Albion Football Club since the fixtures were announced to insure that this was a safe event and I am pleased to report that at this stage, we have not received any reports of serious injury to fans and/or police officers despite CCTV footage showing officers and horses having missiles thrown at them.

"The vast majority of fans who attended the match caused no problems and were there to watch the football and enjoy the community event. We would like to thank them for their support and co-operation. I would also like to thank the football club and our colleagues at British Transport Police for their involvement and continued support.

"Sussex Police will continue to work with the club and share information. Policing levels for all fixtures are assessed on a match-by-match basis in conjunction with the club and using the intelligence available, policing levels are adjusted accordingly. Any officers deployed to police football games are in addition to those who are already scheduled to work and are not at the expense of normal policing coverage in our the local communities. The cost of any policing within the stadium and its immediate surrounds is met by the football club."

There were over 200 extra officers deployed to police the Albion v Crystal Palace match.

The arrests were for offences of affray, drunk and disorderly, assault, possession of drugs, public order offences and breaching a football banning order.