Leicestershire's 'Hooligan Spotter' Rewarded For Breaking Up Fan Fight

15 September 2015, 07:22 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

A Leicestershire police officer has been rewarded for his bravery as he stood alone between two sets of football hooligans who were throwing bottles and squaring up for a fight.

Pc Simon Chamberlain from Leicestershire Police said it could have been ``carnage'' as he tried to hold apart the 75 fans on his own for eight minutes.

Now the officer, who works as a hooligan spotter, has been given a commendation for his actions after the Leicester City v Stoke City game in January.

Pc Chamberlain, who has been with the force for 14 years, said: ``We just got down there as quickly as possible and I did what I could.

``It could have been carnage if I was not there.''

Leicestershire Police said around 50 Foxes fans were drinking in a city centre pub and had arranged to meet with 25 Stoke City fans as their teams played at the King Power Stadium.

Pc Chamberlain was patrolling the city along with a colleague from Staffordshire Police when officers saw the potential disorder breaking out on CCTV.

The pair arrived as the rival fans were squaring up to one another and throwing glasses and bottles.

Backup wasn't available to the officers as the disorder began shortly after the final whistle and the roads were busy with supporters leaving the stadium.

He said: ``The adrenaline was just running. We got down there and my colleague was just filming everything but I couldn't just sit and wait.

``Looking back it was a risk and it felt like forever while I was waiting for backup.

``It wasn't like they could even get through on blue lights because of the traffic. I pressed my emergency button and just did the best I could until more officers arrived.''

Pc Chamberlain was forced to act as a human barrier between the two groups of fans for eight minutes until backup arrived at the scene.

His commendation said: ``This aggressive behaviour was controlled by the prompt, direct and firm action of Simon who without regard for his personal safety, to prevent innocent members of the public being at risk, had to push people back into their own crowd, as well as activating his emergency button.''