POLICE in South Ayrshire came under fire atthe weekend when they stopped an Ayr United supporters bus travelling to Greenock and seized drink and drugs.

Following Ayr’s goalless stalemat e at Cappielow against Morton, Ayrshire Police Division posted on Facebook and Twitter about their ‘Football Operation’ and how they had stopped a bus travelling to the game but fans from ac ross the country soon jumped on board to lambast Police Scotland saying that football fans were being vilified and that police should focus on ‘real crime’.

Former Head of Communications at the Scottish Football Association, Darryl Broadfoot hit out on Twitter quoting the police tweet and said: “But it’s ok to get MWI on a train?

Another example o fthe demonisation of football fans. Incredible post.”

This was just one of over 5,000 replies on the website and fans voiced their anger on Facebook too with Greig Corbett saying: “No got anything better to do? Away and catch real criminals.”

Sean Frew implied that if the fans had been travelling to a rugby match that nothing would be done and said: “Get a grip if the ball was oval you wouldn’t care less showing the haul off as if you’ve just caught Pablo Escobar.”

Clare Elizabeth added: “So if you’re not allowed to drink alcohol on buses, why do we never hear of rugby buses getting stopped? Clearly these people drink too but it’s football fans that are treated like second class citizens. Also, it’s said it’s to stop folk getting drunk before the game, but I travelled by train today, went to the pub. Not a word said and no questioning. What makes me different to people travelling by bus?”

Police Sergeant Lyall, Locality policing supervisor, said: “Alcohol consumption linked to football matches places everyone at risk and increases the opportunity for violence and anti-social behaviour”.

“Operations like this one help keep fans and the wider community safe and I would like to thank the driver and passengers on the bus for their cooperation throughout. I would ask that everyone considers their own safety at football events, act responsibly and importantly enjoy the game”.

Following the backlash, Ayrshire police posted a further statement in which Communities Inspector John Hamilton said that a quantity of drugs were also recovered.

He said: “No persons were charged in relation to the recovered alcohol but advice was given regarding the legislation.

In addition to the alcohol, a quantity of alleged Class A drugs were recovered from the bus and enquires are ongoing in relation to these offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971”.

“The bus was being used by a majority of law abiding football supporters which included families travelling with young children. Many of the supporters on the bus were appreciative of police activity on the day”.