The Berkshire Eagle reports Youth football referees in Berkshire County say they're concerned for their safety during games, and it's not because of the kids.

The Berkshire County Football Officials Association decided earlier this month it would no longer officiate games without police presence, citing at least three incidents this season of parents storming the field during games to challenge referees. One of these incidents resulted in "a physical altercation," league leaders wrote in a public notice posted to the association website.

Officials say the recent rise in parental aggression isn't the first time the association has tackled the problem.

The phenomenon began about five years ago and the association worked with the league to implement a zero-tolerance policy that he said cleaned things up for a few years.

This year the relationship with parents took a turn for the worse.

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