A small team of UK football policing officers will head to South Africa next week as part of an international policing contingent to assist local authorities during the World Cup tournament.
Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) lead on football, Assistant Chief Constable Andy Holt will lead a team of 12 officers heading to South Africa for the World Cup.
A member of the team will be based in the international police co-ordination centre which will be managing security and policing issues for all World Cup matches.
The officers will fly to Johannesburg in time for England’s first game against the US in Rustenburg on June 12.
ACC Holt said “Officers heading to South Africa will be deployed in full uniform and will act as both intelligence gatherers and as ambassadors. These officers are experienced in policing football matches in the UK and will act as a direct link into the South African Police Service to ensure that it’s a safe and enjoyable event for everyone.”
ACC Holt said police were not anticipating mass disorder at the event, but warned any fans who were arrested would be dealt with under South African laws.
“The reality is that the overwhelming majority of England fans heading to South Africa are there to support the national team and the game of football.
“Those who do decide to engage in any trouble must realise that as guests in South Africa they will feel the full force of local policing laws. The South African police have a fast-track courts system in place and we will ensure that any of those who get caught up in football-related trouble can also expect to face a football banning order when they return to the UK.”
In response to concerns about crime rates, ACC Holt said fans were advised to check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website for tips on keeping safe during the tournament.
The Football Supporters Federation has also produced a useful free guide for fans heading to South Africa.
Nick Hawkins, Chief Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service in Hampshire and Isle of Wight and national football lead said “CPS will be working closely with the UK policing team and South African prosecutors during the World Cup. A key aim will be to ensure that any evidence of violence or disorder gathered against English nationals is made available to secure football banning orders in the UK.”
ACC Holt said along with policing arrangements in South Africa, police were also planning a national policing operation to ensure safety in town centres for those fans remaining at home.
During the World Cup campaign police in England and Wales will be stepping up patrols in city centres to tackle any alcohol-related disorder as well as to manage any crowds at proposed big screen events.
Police last week kicked off a national awareness campaign around domestic abuse, following an ACPO study which showed a 30 per cent increase in reports of domestic abuse on England match days during the 2006 World Cup.
The campaign includes posters showing a blood stained football shirt tagged “Strikeher” and calls on people to blow the whistle on domestic abuse.
Article courtesy of www.policeoracle.com
