JUST seven AFC Bournemouth fans were arrested at games last season, Home Office data has shown.

While this figure was an increase from the season before, where only four Cherries fans were arrested, the club had the fewest number of fans arrested in the Premier League.

Across the season, the seven fans were arrested at six different games.

Two faced arrests for public disorder offences, at the home loss to Southampton and the home win vs Leeds, in October and April.

Three AFC Bournemouth fans were arrested for possession of class A drugs, which was added as an offence under the Football Supporters Act in November.

Bournemouth Echo: Police officers at the Vitality Stadium.

The final two arrests were for alcohol offences, at the away loss to West Ham in October and possession of pyrotechnics, at the away win in Leicester in April.

Three away fans were arrested at the Vitality Stadium across the season.

Two Leicester fans were arrested for violent disorder and throwing missiles at the game in October, and a Manchester City fan was arrested for alcohol offences in February.

The figures show that nationally there were 2,264 football-related arrests in the 2022/23 season, up from 2,198 in the previous season, which was already an eight-year high.

While the national picture saw an increase in arrests, Dorset Police said there was a reduction in arrests at Cherries games from the 2021/22 season.

The county force said its figures show 20 fans were arrested in the previous season, compared to the six arrested through the 2022/23 campaign.

Chief inspector Derek McKerl, of Dorset Police, said: “The number of arrests of AFC Bournemouth fans and the number of arrests at the Vitality Stadium are both extremely low compared to elsewhere in the country and in the context of the thousands of fans who turn out to watch the Cherries over the course of a season.

“We have an extremely positive working relationship with the club and engage with them regularly to ensure we have an appropriate policing presence on matchday so that fans can enjoy the experience without any issues relating to anti-social behaviour or disorder.

“There will always be a very small minority that cause issues for other supporters, and we are committed to working with the club and other partners to identify those involved and take positive action against them. This can include compiling evidence to secure banning orders that prevent those committing offences from attending matches anywhere in the country so they can no longer cause issues for other fans.”

The force has a dedicated football officer that attends home and away fixtures, which works closely with AFC Bournemouth to keep fans safe and minimise ASB, violence and crime.

After a supporter is arrested, their ticketing account is suspended by the club while an investigation is carried out.

Following the investigation, the police will work with the club to apply the appropriate sanction.

It is understood that the club works with supporters who have been involved in the use of offensive or discriminatory language to offer Fan Education Programmes, to educate and change behaviours. These courses are often delivered in conjunction with a club ban.

AFC Bournemouth did not wish to comment.