Fans have raised “concerns” with Watford Football Club about family seating next to away supporters.

About 25 seats in the Vicarage Road stand had to be replaced this week after they were ripped up and thrown by visiting Millwall FC fans during their side's 1-0 defeat to the Hornets on Saturday.

There have also been reports of coins and bottles thrown across the partition and into a section reserved for family ticket holders.

Millwall fans who contacted the Watford Observer condemned the minority of travelling supporters who threw coins and bottles, while a video of a chair being thrown has been posted on the internet.

And they, along with some Hornets fans, have questioned why family groups, many with young children, have been allocated seating next to away supporters.

Michael Jones, head of business operations at Watford FC, said that following “concerns” from supporters about seating, with reference to but not limited to the Millwall match, their views will be considered when planning seating arrangements for next season.

He said: “The two family seating areas in the Lower Rous stand and east stand were moved into the north-west side of the Vicarage Road stand in the summer of 2007.

“The move was a result of the east stand closure to spectators and the proposed stadium redevelopment, which planned to have a new east stand built within three seasons.

“There have been several swathes of supporters being moved en bloc, and so at the time this was felt to be the best proposal for what was meant to be an interim period.

“We have taken a number of supporters’ concerns on board during this season, not just with particular reference to the Millwall match. It’s these opinions that will help shape our plans for the forthcoming 2011/12 season, with the matchday experience for our fans of primary importance.”

Though the post-match report said there had been no arrests and no ejections, a Millwall FC representative admitted “things went on” and said the south London club was ready to help Watford and police in any way.

“We're as keen as anybody, if not more keen, that perpetrators of these offences are identified and prosecuted and we will do anything we can to help Watford,” he said.

“It's only a minority, not only here but at other clubs, but here particularly it continues to follow us around.”

Levels of policing after the match have also come under scrutiny after reports of public disorder along Vicarage Road.

Philip Wheeler, a retired DCI Met Police, has criticised the “lack of police action” after seeing travelling fans “steam” into an off-licence and “abuse” passers-by as they made they way from the stadium to the town centre.

He said: “I myself witnessed public order and theft offences in abundance and yet nothing seemed to be done.

“The policing of this game after the final whistle needs to be reviewed by Watford police and apologies made to the local shopkeepers who were invaded, because they were given no protection by the local police, largely it seemed to me through a lack of leadership.

“I would advise the shopkeepers who were invaded and had goods stolen to write to the police commander and demand compensation for their losses.”

Mr Jones said Saturday's fixture was regarded as “Category A” in terms of policing levels.

“They liaise with the club’s stadium operations and safety teams,” he said. “However, it is Hertfordshire Constabulary’s final decision as to exactly how the matches are policed.

“The club is in the process of reviewing CCTV footage and, where positive identifications are possible, will request that the police pursue criminal investigations based on the evidence which will be passed to them.”

Meanwhile, match commander Chief Inspector Sue Jameson added: “Large scale football matches of this kind are risk assessed by police in liaison with football safety officers. This match was no different and we therefore had additional police officers on duty which were sufficient for an event of this scale.

“Inside the stadium, football stewards deal with incidents as they arise and should they need additional help, they request the support of police. On this occasion no requests for further resources or assistance were made.

“After the match, to minimise disorder in the area, we also worked with local pubs and bars in the town centre and leading down to the train station who closed their premises when the fans began to leave the stadium. This meant that a crowd of around 2000 away supporters very quickly dispersed, leaving Watford town centre.

"Overall the match proceeded without significant trouble. However, there were people in a minority who were responsible for a low number for anti-social behaviour incidents and shop lifting which we are currently investigating and I would encourage any witnesses to this behaviour to contact police on 0845 3300222."