West Ham home games had a higher drug arrest rate than other Premier League clubs and away supporters were the biggest offenders, alarming Safety Advisory Group minutes reveal

West Ham home matches had a higher drug arrest rate than other Premier League clubs and away supporters were the biggest offenders, figures revealed this year.

Minutes from Newham Council's Safety Advisory Group's (SAG) meeting in January confirmed fixtures at the London Stadium had more drug arrests than at other top-flight grounds - with substances a significant influence on supporter behaviour.

The document, posted on X, featured an update from the Metropolitan Police (MPS) and details on the initiatives already underway to crack down on the problem.

Laying bare the extent of the issue facing officers policing games, the minutes read: 'It has been acknowledged that drugs have been a huge factor to fan behaviour.

'WHUFC have a higher drugs arrest than other Premier League clubs and it is down to the proactive work undertaken by LS185 [stadium operators] and WHUFC as well as the MPS drugs operation mainly based at the Away gate.'

An extensive CCTV operation is in place around the London Stadium and the MPS credited this with identifying culprits and capturing incidents.

Three police planning meetings are typically held before every fixture. 

The London Legacy Development Corporation uses CCTV in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the location of West Ham's home ground, and offered to assist LS185 and the MPS when operations are in place ahead of games. 

A source indicated that the arrest figures are likely to be higher at West Ham due to their zero tolerance and robust approach to cracking down on drug use at games. 

West Ham, the MPS and Newham Council were contacted for comment. 

It has been revealed that policing fixtures at the London Stadium cost the taxpayer £1.5million last season - with the overall bill in England totalling over £30m. 

Just the Premier League alone accounted for half of this figure with at least £15.3m of police resources invested in ensuring security at grounds. 

Freedom of Information figures, obtained in multiple requests by i, revealed that the biggest burden on the taxpayer came from the traditional Big Six and London clubs.

Matches at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium cost the police £2.9m while Arsenal fixtures at the Emirates cost £1.8m. £1.6m was spent on Liverpool home matches.

West Ham have often required several hundred officers to police matches, with large operations deployed for fixtures against the likes of Tottenham and Chelsea. 

It was revealed that almost £40,000 was spent on policing the victory parade after their UEFA Conference League victory last year when thousands were in attendance.

Disorder inside grounds is the responsibility of stewards, who are paid for by clubs, on match days. Police officers are on hand to assist and this is charged to clubs.  

Clubs are typically liable for maintaining order in areas immediately outside turnstiles. The bill for the rest of required policing is footed by local forces, however.