SEEN AS one of their main weapons in the fight against hooliganism, police in Tayside and Fife have secured just a single Football Banning Order this year, despite seeking 24.

Across Scotland there have now been 246 cases requesting criminal FBO’s reported to procurators fiscal since the legislation came into effect.

The vast majority of cases are still going through the judicial process, but others have been rejected.

It is understood at least some banning orders have been dropped as a result of plea-bargaining.

Tayside Police applied for eight orders in February and seven in July, believed to have been sought after trouble flared after a pre-season friendly between Dundee and Millwall.

Fife Constabulary applied for two in January and seven in March.

Of the 246 criminal FBO’s applied for in Scotland, 81 have been through the criminal justice system and 37 of these were found guilty, of which four also received a FBO as part of their disposal.

There were no proceedings in 17 of the remaining 44 cases, while 14 were dealt with by way of fiscal fine or warning letter, 12 were found not guilty and one was deserted pro loco.

Two civil banning orders were also processed through the court and granted.

Assistant Chief Constable Kevin Smith, who leads on football issues for the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS), said, “Since Football Banning Orders were introduced on September 1, 2006, Scottish police forces have submitted 246 cases which requested a Football Banning Order to be considered as a disposal upon conviction.

“Forty-eight of the cases submitted related to sectarian offences.

“The vast majority of these cases are still going through the Scottish legal system and to date 37 individuals have been found guilty, four of which received a FBO on conviction.

“Two civil banning orders have been processed through the court and granted, with several more under investigation.

“The number of applications for FBOs is very encouraging. It is anticipated that the number granted on conviction will increase in the future as their value as a deterrent becomes more widely appreciated.”

A spokeswoman for Tayside Police said 15 applications had been made recommending a FBO but it was a matter for the sheriff to decide whether they should be granted.

The law allows fans to be banned from grounds for up to 10 years.

Police forces can apply for the orders to be imposed on individuals found guilty of football-related crimes.

The order would then, in theory, be granted on “conviction.”

Local authorities can also apply to the civil courts to get orders against individuals who may not have been convicted of any crime. This works in the same way as anti-social behaviour orders.

Offences that might result in an order include sectarian chanting, assault or shouting racist remarks.

Community safety minister Fergus Ewing said, “The Scottish government will continue to engage with Scotland’s faith communities in a variety of ways to ensure that their views are being listened to and understood.”