SCOTLAND’s police union has warned of a creeping return of football hooliganism after what law enforcement sources call a “toxic” series of matches.

The Scottish Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, is concerned for the safety of its own members and supporters at grounds amid a rise in both organised violence and the use of flares.

Its vice chair, David Hamilton, said the time had come for an honest debate on trouble at games.

He said: “This is a trend which needs addressed UK-wide. This is not just a Scottish problem, it’s Euro-wide. There is a real issue and we need to talk about it.”

Mr Hamilton was speaking after a tense Edinburgh derby on Wednesday during which the Hibs manager Neil Lennon was hit by a coin and the Hearts goalkeeper was, allegedly, punched by a supporter.

Mr Lennon’s agent said the former Celtic player and manager had been targeted for sectarian abuse for the “best part of 18 years”. A graffito on one Edinburgh wall called for Mr Lennon to be hanged.

The two clubs issued a joint statement saying they would act against those involved in recent trouble.

Mr Hamilton, however, reflected widespread concerns within policing about the rise in the use of pyrotechnics - such as flares and smokebombs - and enduring worries about organised violence.

“It is getting silly again,” he said. “We have come a long way since the days before the alcohol ban of the 1980. But only two years ago there was a pitch invasion at the cup final.

“We are getting a resurgence of old problems. We need the clubs to take responsibility and we need to revisit issues like strict liability and safety certificates.”

Clubs have resisted calls for them to be responsible for the behaviour of their fans.

But Mr Hamilton also warned some hooligans - now usually called “risk supporters” were blending in to fans groups. And some of those groups, he suggested, were getting more “militant” after the repeal of the controversial Offensive Behaviour at Football Act. or OBA.

He said: “It is almost as if they see the repeal as a ‘win’. But the police are not in a war with fans. We enforce the law, we don’t write it. I think some people do feel emboldened by the repeal and I think that is regrettable. So we are hearing the same inappropriate and offensive songs.”

Police Scotland senior officers do not quite echo Mr Hamilton’s view. Bernie Higgins, an assistant chief constable, said he had been concerned ending the OBA would “empower empower people to believe they could behave in a certain way.” Police leaders stress they still have many powers to deal with hooliganism and sectarianism.

Mr Higgins added: “I can’t say that the behaviour has significantly deteriorated. There was sectarian signing last season when the act was still in force. It is still happening this season. Is it more prevalent? I don’t think so. We will monitor that over the remainder of the season.”

Mr Higgins stressed that three quarters of Scotland’s senior clubs have fans with football banning orders and half have “risk” supporters recorded on police intelligence files. “This is not just a central belt issue,” he said.