BRITISH Transport Police arrested four Newport men in connection with a fracas on a train between Weymouth and Newport, after the Argus printed CCTV images of nine wanted men earlier this week.
The Argus printed images on Thursday of nine men, all believed to be Newport County fans, who were wanted by the British Transport Police (BTP) in connection with a number of offences on a train from Weymouth to Bristol Temple Meads following County’s away victory over Weymouth Town on March 6.
Officers said trouble began when around 90 County fans boarded the 5.30pm train at Weymouth, with a number of fans using foul, abusive and threatening language against officers from Dorset and Avon and Somerset Police, as well as BTP officers.
There was also smoking in the carriages, the train's CCTV cameras were tampered with, and the train’s emergency cord was pulled twice during the journey.
BTP officers arrested four of the nine men on Friday, all from the Newport area aged between 36 and 49 and believe they now know the identity of all nine men.
A 40-year-old man has been charged with a public order offence and will appear in Bristol Magistrates Court on April 19 and a 49-year-old man was cautioned for a public order offence.
Two men, aged 36 and 40, have been bailed pending further enquiries.
They will answer bail at Newport Police Station on April 30 and May 5 respectively.
A fifth man, Dale Evans from Vaughan Williams Drive in Newport, has been reported for smoking on a train.
Detective Mick Southerton, who is leading the investigation, said: “I have been overwhelmed by the responses we’ve had from members of the public following our media appeal. We are very grateful for the support we have received from those readers who contacted us.”
He confirmed the four arrests made on Friday and said officers would be interviewing the remaining men shortly.
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