FOUR men have been arrested after a flare was thrown onto the pitch of a West Ham V Kidderminster Harriers FA Cup match.
The men – aged in their 20s and 30s and from Birmingham, Hampshire and Kidderminster – were arrested on suspicion of possessing and setting off a flare during the game at Aggborough.
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Speaking after West Ham’s nail-biting 2-1 win in extra-time, senior West Mercia copper Gareth Morgan said a small number of home fans had caused trouble.
“Thanks to the club’s stewards we were able to detain the four men before anyone was injured by their careless actions,” he said.
The officer thanked the majority of fans who behaved respectfully towards each other.
He added: “We worked closely with the club in the build-up to the game, and increased our presence around the town to ensure fans and the public were kept safe during this exciting and historic match.
“I would like to thank everyone involved for their co-operation.”
The Hammers were two minutes away from becoming the first team to be knocked out of the FA Cup by a sixth-tier opposition in 151 years.
Declan Rice brought the team back from the brink with a stunning stoppage time equaliser while Jarrod Bowen tapped home a goal in the 121st minute – sealing West Ham’s spot in the FA Cup’s fifth round.
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