Police made seven arrests as Watford FC fans celebrated promotion to the Premier League. 

Following a weekend of celebrations, Chief Inspector for Watford Dave Wheatley commended fans for their "excellent behaviour".

More than 20,000 fans attended the clash with Sheffield Wednesday and many thousands of high spirited Hornets fans took to the town centre on Saturday night to celebrate Watford’s promotion before Monday's party in Cassiobury Park. 

Chief Inspector Wheatley said: “This was a weekend of celebrations which began Friday evening and finished yesterday with the event in Cassiobury Park.

“There was an element of pre-planning, especially to cope with the uplift in fans who would want to celebrate the end of the season.

“We wanted to facilitate the celebrations so people were able to enjoy themselves, whilst balancing the need to keep them safe and I believe this paid off.

"It was a real partnership approach with Watford Borough Council and the licensees.

“We had additional resources deployed for the football match with officers staying on later in the town centre. In the main it was normal policing to ensure we maintained a safe environment for people.

“There was an incident where some Watford fans were hurt when a glass was thrown. This is disappointing and something we are actively investigating.

"The other arrests were for public order offences, including affray, when some disorder broke out in the top end of town later in the evening.

“However, on the whole, the majority of the fans were good natured and enjoyed the game and the associated celebrations, and generally the behaviour was excellent and it was a safe weekend for all.”

During Saturday's match, a 26-year-old man from St Albans was arrested on suspicion of pitch invasion.

An 18-year-old man from Berkhamsted was also arrested on suspicion of possessing a firework.

After the 1-1 draw with Sheffield Wednesday, which meant Watford did not go up as champions, dozens of supporters partied well into the night. 

But celebrations turned sour in the late afternoon when four people were injured after a number of glasses were thrown in the street outside Walkabout shortly before 5pm.

Elsewhere, five men were arrested in the town centre following the game.

Paul Stolworthy, 27 and of Woodwaye, Watford, was charged with a public order offence which occurred near Chocolate bar in the High Street at 7.30pm.

Benjamin Howlett, 27 of Temple End, High Wycombe, was charged with a public order offence which occurred near Chocolate bar in the High Street at 7.30pm.

Colin Jones, 44 and of Weald Road, Uxbridge, was charged with assault (ABH) in connection with an altercation outside McDonalds in the Parade at 7.30pm.

Two further men were arrested but no further action was taken.

Anyone with information about the assault in the town centre is asked to contact the Herts Police non-emergency number 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

  • Watford FC said it is investigating after flares were released during and after Saturday's game.