Football-Related Antisocial Behaviour | Lunchtime Learning Summary

5 December, 2025

Please note: Posts published before 2026 may reference our former name, the Scottish Community Safety Network (SCSN)

SCSN Lunchtime Learning | Football-Related Antisocial Behaviour

Key learnings / summary

The Challenge From January 2025, South Ayrshire experienced a significant spike in football-related ASB including violence, weapon carrying, widespread graffiti, pyrotechnic use, and territorial tensions between supporter factions. A major trigger incident at Whitlets Victoria involving fighting, vandalism and weapons prompted urgent action.

The Approach: Don’t Reinvent the Wheel Rather than creating new programmes, South Ayrshire convened existing partners and deployed established interventions in a coordinated way:

Multi-agency Violence Prevention Board – police, football clubs, council departments, youth workers, community justice and education working together
Range of interventions – parent alert letters, school programmes (Pitching In, FEVER, TAPE), restorative justice, detached youth work, and supporter liaison officers
Critical asset – a CLD Modern Apprentice actively involved in the ultras who helped pitch interventions effectively and liaise with peers
Educational presentation – delivered to schools and community groups, balancing discussion of positive supporter culture with risks and consequences

The Results Since implementation:

Huge reduction in territorial violence and disorder
No weapon carrying reports
No pyrotechnic use this season (zero club fines)
Football graffiti virtually eliminated
No vandalism to multi-use pitches
Launch of school-based supporters clubs

Key Principles

Use existing partnerships and systems effectively
Balance is crucial – preserve positive supporter culture whilst addressing harmful behaviour
Early intervention with younger age groups prevents escalation
Quick response prevents “broken windows” effect
Real local examples are powerful in education

Key Takeaway

South Ayrshire’s success came from recognising early warning signs, convening existing partners quickly, and using established interventions in a coordinated way. Football doesn’t have to be the problem – it can be part of the solution.

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About the event

Join us for an insightful session with David Porte, Thriving Communities Team Leader for Community Safety with South Ayrshire Council, on the growing challenge of football-related antisocial behaviour and ultras groups in Scotland. Discover what prompted increased concerns locally, how South Ayrshire partners worked together to tackle these issues, and the positive outcomes achieved through collaborative intervention. This session offers valuable insights for community safety partnerships dealing with similar issues and looking to balance enforcement with engagement.

This session is ideal for: