Hooligans warned not to travel to South Africa

Hooligans planning to travel to South Africa to watch the England football team in the forthcoming World Cup have been warned not to attend.

Operation Final will target known or potential troublemakers travelling from Manchester Airport. They will have their passport seized and be required to appear before magistrates within 24 hours.

Greater Manchester Police will also make an application to the court for a football banning order, which if granted, lasts between three and five years.

To enforce this intelligence led operation, plain clothed football intelligence and uniformed police officers have been stationed at the airport since Monday (7 June 2010) and will stay while England are still in the tournament.

They will also be rigorously enforcing banning orders that restrict the movements of known troublemakers before the match under Operation Enforcement.

The Football Banning Order Authority (FBOA) has sent out letters to specific people who are subject to Banning Orders. The recipients must follow certain courses of action, such as surrendering their passport and reporting to a police station on the day of the match. Any breaches of the conditions will be treated seriously.

A total of 167 people had to surrender their passports. Of these, 26 people failed to do so in the required time, but following action under Operation Enforcement, only three are outstanding.

Detective Inspector Kevin Fitzpatrick, of GMP's Football Intelligence and Public Safety Unit, said: "GMP is committed to preventing known or potential troublemakers from travelling to South Africa, for the World Cup. On a regular basis we have previously identified and subsequently banned these individuals at court. We have already identified a number of risk supporters that we intend to serve with a summons, forcing them to appear before our courts over the next few weeks.

"That is why we will be closely monitoring those travelling to South Africa, whether directly or indirectly, from this airport. Similar operations are also taking place at several airports around the country.

Detective Inspector Fitzpatrick, added: "The message is clear, anyone who is trying to travel who is either banned or a known troublemaker will be identified and punished appropriately, so do not attempt to travel.

"We are determined to stop known troublemakers from spoiling the enjoyment of matches for genuine fans.

"That said the majority of fans travelling will be law abiding genuine supporters. On behalf of GMP we wish the genuine supporters a great time in South Africa."