Police are urging football fans throughout the Avon and Somerset police force area to have a safe and enjoyable 2012-13 season.

And they are hoping they can build on a highly successful 12-month period that has not seen any major incidents recorded.

The opening month of last season resulted in no arrests for football-related anti social behaviour or violence.

And over the course of the season there were only 28 arrests recorded at Bristol City (16) and Bristol Rovers (12).

During 2010-2011 there were 94 arrests, with 163 arrests in 2009/2010 and 137 during the previous 12-month period (2008-2009).

On March 10 this year, police scrapped "coach-only" restrictions for the Bristol City v Cardiff City match, as part of the policy to encourage a new era of co-operation and plans for unrestricted travel for supporters of both sides for future matches.

And during the police operation to coincide with Euro 2012, there were no significant incidents and only a handful of arrests for low-level public order offences.

The recent Bristol City versus Bristol Rovers game - the first derby fixture since 2007 - also produced little trouble for the police on the day, with just a few arrests for public order offences, following a high-profile police presence on the day.

Now police hope that the goodwill shown on the terraces over the past 12 months will continue into the new football season but have confirmed they will blow the whistle on any form of football-related anti social behaviour or violence, which will not be tolerated. Police operations, based on intelligence, will be mounted to deal with anticipated incidents.

Police have stressed they will not hesitate to take a tough line with those who threaten to engage in football-related hooliganism. They will be arrested and put before the courts. Not only do offenders risk having a criminal record and possible custodial sentence but police will routinely seek to obtain a football banning order.

This can result in the hooligan being barred from attending any football matches in the UK for a period of up to 10 years. They can also face a ban from travelling abroad, when England matches are being played overseas. A banning order can be imposed for various periods up to a total of 10 years

There are currently 50 football banning orders in force in Avon and Somerset - Bristol City (31), Bristol Rovers (18) and Yeovil town (one).

Police are able to apply for post-conviction FBOs at all regulated grounds covered by the Football and Blue Square Leagues. In Avon and Somerset these are Bristol City, Bristol Rovers, Yeovil Town, Bath City and Weston-super-Mare.

Avon and Somerset Police work closely with colleagues across the country to identify and build intelligence profiles on known "risk" supporters and those on the fringes. This, together with partnership work with local football league clubs, enables officers to target those that are intent on disrupting games or causing problems in the community before and after games.

This enables the police to create a safe and enjoyable environment for families visiting games in Avon and Somerset.

The message from Avon and Somerset Police is - enjoy your football but if your intention is to try to disrupt games or spoil the enjoyment for genuine fans, you are likely to be arrested and end up with a football banning order.