Man Arrested After Smoke Bomb Incident At Football Match

1st February 2015

Inverness Caledonian Thistle hosted Ross County FC in a SPFL Premier League fixture at 3pm on Saturday 31 January 2015 at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium.

Shortly after kick-off, two 'smoke-bomb' devices were thrown from the home support in the North Stand of the ground and landed on the concourse in front of the stand.

While some football supporters consider the use of smoke bombs to be harmless and to enhance the atmosphere, such devices are illegal to possess in a football ground for safety reasons. Police Scotland takes the view that such items are extremely dangerous, particularly in tightly crowded places, because of the high temperatures they can reach and the noxious fumes they emit. On this occasion a number of children were nearby when the devices were detonated and also where they were thrown.

Club officials, stewards and Police officers working together quickly managed to identify a culprit. This 29 year old man was subsequently arrested and charged, and will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal.

Police Scotland takes a serious view of any behaviour which is likely to affect the safety of spectators at a football match. Any person convicted of such offences can expect the court to make an order banning them from attending football matches for a lengthy period.

If anyone has any information about the incident, or wishes to pass on information about any other football related offences,they are encouraged to contact Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org/. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.