Football hooligans arrested in dawn raids
Football hooligans arrested in dawn raids
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Thursday, 25, May 2006 10:43
A number of known football thugs have been arrested this morning following a series of dawn raids across London and Hertfordshire.
Six arrests were made as part of the Met's Operation Devine, which has been set up to investigate last season's outbreaks of violent disorder at Millwall football matches.
In total, 16 hooligans have now been arrested, following on from the successful first phase of the operation conducted on Sunday.
All of those arrested were identified on CCTV as causing disturbances during Millwall's Championship matches against Wolves on January 21st and Crystal Palace on February 18th.
Superintendent BJ Harrington, who is leading Operation Devine, expressed his satisfaction with the raids and vowed to get banning orders placed on those arrested which should prevent them from entering all Premiership, League and Conference grounds.
"Those identified and arrested as part of today's pre-planned operation have used the veneer of football to legitimise senseless violence," he said.
"We will work closely with the courts to ensure that banning orders are imposed, which in turn will prevent them from causing any further trouble at future matches."
In support of today's arrests, Millwall's chief executive Ken Brown, said the "success of Operation Devine is good news for football fans and good news for Millwall Football Club".
He added: "It sends out a clear message that the minority who seek to use football matches as an excuse to exhibit violent behaviour will be prosecuted.
"We operate a zero tolerance policy in respect of such behaviour at Millwall and fully support the police in their initiative. The vast majority of decent law abiding fans who watch matches at the Den can be reassured they will continue to be able to watch football in a safe environment."
Millwall's owners have worked tirelessly, and with some success, over the past five years to remove the hooliganism tag that has been commonly associated with some sections of the club's supporters.