Police Release 87 After Town Centre Fracas

More than 80 people arrested in the build-up to a football match have been released on bail.

Warwickshire Police Inspector Darren Webster said 87 people had now been released on police bail while enquiries continue.

The arrests were in connection with alleged "violent disorder" ahead of a non-league fixture between home side Nuneaton Town and Lincoln City on Saturday afternoon.

Insp Webster said: "Everyone has now been bailed in connection with the incident. The senior investigating officer will now evaluate what action needs to be taken."

Riot police from three forces and the British Transport Police were called to deal with reports of trouble at several pubs in Nuneaton shortly before 10.30am.

Officers from Warwickshire, West Mercia and West Midlands Police forces then began arresting dozens of people on suspicion of violent disorder at The Granby pub in the town centre from 3.20pm.

Chief Inspector Adrian Knight, in charge of the policing operation, said it had been "a particularly challenging day".

"Police officers responded to reports of disorder at a number of public houses in the town and were deployed in full protective equipment for their own safety," he said.

Nuneaton Town chief executive Ian Neale said the trouble was nothing to do with the football club or its supporters.

Mr Neale said police went to The Granby pub to organise an escort to town for Nuneaton fans but only three people said they were interested in going to the match.

He said: "They were allowed to leave the pub to take a taxi to the ground, which is two miles away from where the arrests were made.

The Granby had opened in December after the former venue was redecorated and had promoted Saturday lunchtime as "family time".

After the incident staff thanked its normal patrons on its Facebook page.

"Just time to say a massive thank you for all your words of support and thank you to everyone who came down to show that we will continue and become better from it," it said.

Supporters responded with their own messages of support.

Jackie King wrote: "Hey, these so called 'footie fans' may have done u a favour - people'll be flocking in to show support."

After Saturday's incident in the town centre, Nuneaton went on to win the Blue Square Bet Premier League fixture 1-0.