02/06/2010

Last Call For World Cup Exclusion 'Fans'

With less than ten days to go until the FIFA World Cup, the Metropolitan Police Service are sending out a stark warning to anyone in London who is subject to a football banning order.

Today, Wednesday 2 June, is the final day of the passport surrender for the World Cup, so anyone who does not surrender their passport as ordered will be arrested.

Warning letters have been sent out to over 300 people in London informing them of the dates to hand in their passports at their local police station.

The football banning orders have been issued for offences ranging from drunken behaviour, through to assault and violent disorder.

Commander Bob Broadhurst from the Met's Central Operations, said: "With the capital buzzing in preparation for the World Cup Finals, our policing operation also gathers momentum.

"The passport surrender is integral in disrupting and grounding those people associated with football violence. It also ensures that the 'true' law-abiding football fans can enjoy watching their beloved sport.

"And for those people on banning orders who think they can flaunt the law and don't bother to surrender their passports you can expect a knock at the door or a hand on your shoulder as you try to leave the country," he said.

This is the first step in a concerted push to ensure that the violent element in British football does not make it over to South Africa.

Football Intelligence Officers will be on the look out for anyone on a banning order attempting to leave the UK via London's ports and borders including London City Airport and London Heathrow.

(BMcC/GK)

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