SAINTS fans have been challenged to help prevent the homophobic abuse of Brighton fans on Saturday.

Seagulls supporters are often subjected to homophobic chants at away grounds across the country because of the town’s reputation as the UK’s unofficial gay capital.

Supt Rick Burrows, Silver Commander of Hampshire Police’s Football Unit, does not want to hear any at St Mary’s on Saturday.

Speaking at a recent Football Supporters Federation forum, he said: “If it breaches criminal law we will jump on it.

“We need eyes and ears in the crowd and we need supporters to feel confident about challenging it by telling the stewards or the police.

“We will do the rest. If it’s large crowds chanting we’ll put something over on the tannoy and deploy evidence gatherers and then proactively respond.

“What I think needs to happen is that fans need to feel confident to challenge that sort of behaviour.

Stewards need to actively listen and I think police need to actively listen.”

Brighton fans complained about homophobic chants made at St Mary’s during last season’s goalless draw between the sides.

“Whilst Police and stewards were both briefed about the possibility of homophobic chanting, there were no reports during the fixture,” said Supt Burrows.

“It was only after the match that we were contacted from some members of the public, and it became clear that there had been some hate-based chanting.

“That it had not been picked up by stewards or police concerns us.

Are we actively listening? We should be.

“We want the fans, the clubs the players and the police to challenge all forms of bigotry.

“Hate crime figures from the Home Office still focus on race which really surprises me.

“Racism still being up there as the main percentage is perhaps unrepresentative as to what’s happening with homophobic or other chanting.”

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