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Patrols ahead of World Cup
02/06/2006 15:37 - (SA)
Manchester - British police have begun patrolling the country's ports with counterparts from Germany in hopes of preventing hooligans from travelling to the World Cup.
The new operation, unveiled at Manchester airport, was meant to underline the solidarity of authorities in stopping troublemakers from going to Germany to disrupt the month-long tournament on June 9.
About 90% of the nearly 3 500 fans with orders banning them from travelling to big tournaments have surrendered their passports, said Stephen Thomas, assistant chief constable of Greater Manchester Police.
"If people with football banning orders turn up at the airport, they will be arrested, taken to court, banged up in prison or fined," he said.
"I am very confident that we will prevent those people we have targeted getting into the country."
Though German police will act as ambassadors with no arrest powers, authorities hope the show of unity will contribute to a carnival atmosphere at the championship.
British police officers have also travelled to Germany to bolster the work of colleagues hoping to avert riots or other incidents, such as those which marred the Euro 2000 tournament, co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands.
Authorities have also placed "surrender bins" at Britain's ports to encourage fans to dump any objects the Germans could find offensive.
- AP
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