Scotland Yard unveils ‘toughest ever’ curbs on World Cup thugs

Police today launched the toughest ever crackdown on football thugs plotting trouble at the World Cup.

Scotland Yard warned hooligans planning to attend the finals, starting on 11 June, to stay at home or face arrest. Riot officers will also be on standby to deal with flare-ups of drunken violence at clubs and pubs in Britain.

In South Africa, police pledged that anyone causing trouble at the tournament would face "instant justice".

The warnings came hours before the England squad boarded their Virgin Airways flight from Heathrow to Johannesburg O. R. Tambo airport. From there they will head to their World Cup base, the Royal Bafokeng Sports Campus in Rustenburg.

Scotland Yard has ordered 310 hooligans who are under banning orders to surrender their passports by the end of today.

In total 2,770 hooligans across Britain have been told they must not travel. Specialist "spotters" will be manning major airports and ports to identify troublemakers trying to leave.

The hooligans have been convicted for offences ranging from drunken behaviour to assault and violent disorder. Commander Bob Broadhurst, head of the Met's anti-hooligan operation, said: "The passport surrender is integral. It also ensures the true law-abiding football fans can enjoy watching their sport.

"Those who think they can flaunt the law and don't bother to surrender their passports can expect a knock at the door or a hand on your shoulder. There will be some who will be determined to get out there ... the ban will be flagged up when their passport is scanned and they will get whisked away. They won't even get their feet on the plane."

In South Africa, 40,000 police will patrol the tournament. Colonel Leon Engelbrecht, in charge of the operation, said: "We aim to have people before the courts within 24 hours — instant justice. Minor, petty crime involving drink will probably incur a R200 or R300 (£18-£36) fine.

"For ... more serious hooliganism or crime, they can expect the full force of the law with deportation or prison sentences an option."

Twelve British officers and support staff will travel to South Africa to liaise with local officers and spot possible British hooligans.

In London, meanwhile, police are liaising with boroughs to identify possible flashpoints between rival teams. Mr Broadhurst said: "Every nation in the World Cup has a community in London. It is an emotional game and we expect some spontaneous incidents will occur."