A football fan from Walsall has been arrested on suspicion of a public order offence after images emerged of a man apparently mocking Middlesbrough supporters following the devastating crash on the A66 which killed seven people.
Cleveland Police said a 20-year-old from Walsall was arrested after Boro beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday.
Photos circulated online of what was believed to be a Wolves fan holding up a mobile phone with the message “Police Killed Your Own” on the screen.
The crash on the A66 killed two police officers and five young men in the early hours of 22 August.
An official investigation has found that police did not use a stinger or initiate “tactical contact” prior to the head-on crash between a marked police vehicle and a VW Passat which was heading the wrong way along a dual-carriageway, moments after a pursuit had been aborted.
Cleveland Police’s dedicated football officer, Pc Chris Hilton, said: “Working closely with West Midlands Police, we were quickly able to identify and arrest a suspect in connection with an incident involving footage of potentially alarming and distressing behaviour captured during the match on Saturday.
“We began the investigation into this incident immediately after we were made aware of this footage following the match.
“We will always deal with incidents of this nature quickly and robustly to make sure the message is loud and clear that anyone attending a football match should be able to do so in a safe and enjoyable environment.
“We will take enforcement action and investigate anyone suspected of trying to cause disruption.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the majority of fans who turned out on Saturday at the Riverside Stadium whose sole aim was to enjoy the match with fellow football fans.”
