MPS investigates disorder at London football clash

The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) is seeking to obtain football-banning orders (FBOs) against those involved in the serious disorder that took place at Upton Park during the West Ham v Millwall Carling Cup tie on August 25.
Fights broke out near the stadium before the match and continued five hours later, with West Ham fans invading the pitch three times.
Fourteen arrests were made for offences ranging from public disorder, breaching FBOs and invading the pitch. Nine people are being charged and the MPS is seeking FBOs against each of them.
Police were also called to the aid of a man who was stabbed near the stadium shortly after the match ended. He has since been released from hospital.
Investigations are continuing and CCTV footage is being analysed.
Chief Superintendent Steve Wisbey, in charge of policing the match, said: “Police worked closely with West Ham Football Club, British Transport Police and the local authority to minimise disorder. Officers responded swiftly while missiles were being thrown as they tried to separate fans outside the ground after the match.
“Incidents of this nature at a match are thankfully rare, but it would appear that a small number of supporters were intent on causing a confrontation.
“We are committed to providing a safe and trouble-free environment for fans who attend matches to support their teams. A team of dedicated police officers will be reviewing all the events that took place and will be looking at CCTV both inside and outside the ground to identify evidence of offences and offenders.
“We will proactively seek to obtain football-banning orders for those responsible so they will not be permitted in stadiums throughout the country or abroad.”
Despite criticism of the MPS’ preparations for the match, the force said there was no specific intelligence regarding a possible pitch invasion and that officers were deployed inside the stadium as a matter of course.
“We are satisfied that based on the intelligence received before the match, our policing plan was proportionate and well-considered.
“We are satisfied that when the disorder did take place, we responded in a proportionate, robust and effective manner using specialist public order-trained officers.”
Around 200 riot police and at least 20 mounted officers were at the scene. Many were pelted with missiles but none were injured, a spokeswoman said.
Assistant Chief Constable Andy Holt of South Yorkshire Police, and Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) lead on football policing, called the events “shocking” and said they were “an unwelcome reminder of violence that was once commonplace at grounds up and down the country”.
He added: “Every weekend, millions of people attend games and enjoy football without incident. But football hooliganism is still a lingering menace, albeit among a small minority of supporters, and we will not tolerate it.
“Over the past 20 years the UK has made steady progress in eradicating the behaviour of those intent on engaging in football-related violence and disorder. Less than ten per cent of those who are issued with banning orders re-offend, so this legislation is proven and effective and the service will continue to work with clubs and the Football Association (FA) to ensure it is used effectively. All genuine football fans will be concerned at last night’s scenes and the police service is determined to ensure that such events remain the exception to the positive experience enjoyed by the vast majority who follow football through a love of the game.”
It was the first time the rival London sides had met since April 2005. West Ham won the game 3-1 after extra time.
In a statement, West Ham United FC said: “West Ham United will fully investigate the deplorable scenes that took place during the Carling Cup tie with Millwall. The club will not tolerate the unacceptable behaviour witnessed inside the Boleyn Ground and will take the strongest possible action against anyone found responsible, including life bans. As was