Police horse ‘punched’ in face after Portsmouth vs Southampton game

Man arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty and attempted criminal damage, police say

A police horse was allegedly punched in the face by a football fan as officers clashed with rival supporters after a Portsmouth v Southampton derby.

Video footage shared on Twitter appears to show the man squaring up to the horse before swinging a fist towards the animal’s head.

An onlooker can be heard saying: “He’s swinging for a horse, is he mad?”

The man, dressed in blue and allegedly a Pompey fan, is then chased down the street by the horse and its mounted officer and tackled to the ground by more police holding batons.

A 52-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty and attempted criminal damage following the incident, a police spokeswoman said.

A string of videos and images shared on social media showed scuffles between fans and police before and after Southampton’s 0-4 win at Fratton Park on Tuesday.

Hundreds of officers were drafted in ahead of the Carabao Cup fixture in the largest ever football policing operation in Hampshire.

The two rival football teams last met in 2012.

Specially-trained officers in riot gear were supported by police dog units, the mounted section, roads policing, drones and helicopters.

Police also had stop and search powers in parts of Southampton, Portsmouth and Fareham until 2am on Thursday.

Hampshire Constabulary said: “A 52-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty and attempted criminal damage.

“He remains in custody at this time.”