POLICE have charged 21 people after soccer violence hit Huddersfield.

Detectives moved yesterday to bring charges against men and youths from both Huddersfield and London.

The youngest to face charges is a 14-year-old boy from Huddersfield.

The oldest is a 51-year-old man from London and both have been accused of violent disorder.

Several of those who are to face court are teenagers.

The charges follow an outbreak of frightening disorder before Huddersfield Town played Millwall on April 16.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said last night: "Kirklees Police have this evening charged 21 men in connection with football disorder which took place on April 16 at Wakefield Road in the Waterloo area of Huddersfield.

"The incident came during a football game between Huddersfield Town and Millwall.

"All 21 men – six from the London area and 15 from Huddersfield – will appear before Bradford Magistrates on two separate dates later this month.

"The charges include violent disorder, assisting offenders, affray, possessing an offensive weapon and breach of a football banning order."

Det Insp Jim Griffiths, of Kirklees CID, has been investigating the incident.

He said last night: "I would like to thank the local media and also members of the public who have assisted us in identifying those responsible."

Large numbers of people clashed in Wakefield Road, Waterloo, an hour before the two clubs met at the Galpharm Stadium.

Many of those who were arrested by a specialist police team set up to investigate the violence were caught on CCTV cameras in the area.

After the incident, police released pictures of people they wanted to trace.

All were seen in or near the Waterloo Tavern pub on Wakefield Road.

Trouble erupted outside the pub as coaches and minibuses transported away supporters into Huddersfield for the game.

Problems started when coaches and minibuses carrying the Millwall contingent were pelted with missiles at about 7pm.

Rival groups then clashed on the street with up to 60 people fighting running battles using pool cues, bottles and bricks as weapons.

Following a series of operations in both the London area and West Yorkshire, police made a large number of arrests.

Some of those arrests were made before and after the two League One semi-final play-offs in May between the two clubs.

Police mounted a huge policing operation when Millwall made the semi-final visit to the Galpharm Stadium and many pubs throughout the town were closed.

A number of fans were arrested in or near the Galpharm Stadium but there was only a small amount of trouble.

Millwall went on to win the play-off final and secure promotion to the Championship.

Det Insp Griffiths added: "There is no place for disorder of any kind in Kirklees."

Police are still appealing for anyone with information about the incidents to contact them on 01484 436664 or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555111.