Chief Constable Mark Roberts said: “Recently we have seen a concerning rise in the use of pyrotechnics at football matches across the country.
“In the past two seasons the number of incidents and arrests in the UK have more than doubled, and we have seen a number of near misses for fans due to the extremely dangerous nature of these devices.”
Flares are designed not to be extinguished easily or quickly and can burn at temperatures of 1600°C.
PC Tuft added: “Our primary aim is always to keep fans safe.
“The use of pyrotechnics or even trying to get them into a football stadium is a criminal offence.
“Anyone who is caught with flares faces becoming the subject of a football banning order like McGowan and Heathcote have.”
