Millwall v West Ham: Met to flood south London with 400 police in riot gear amid fears of fan violence | OneFootball

Mounted police and dog units will be part of a major public order operation

The Met Police is to deploy 400 officers to try to stop violence erupting between rival fans at the Millwall v West Ham derby on Saturday.

Scotland Yard is braced for troublemakers seeking to stir up clashes at the game, the first time the two London clubs have met for 14 years.

The police will be in riot gear, though without shields.

They will all be trained to deal with public disorder.

West Ham fans were escorted by police towards the stadium before the Championship match between West Ham and Millwall, at Upton Park in February 2012, the last time the two clubs faced each other

Around 60 to 150 officers normally police games in the Championship.

But the force is roughly quadrupling the number of police for the game at The Den, Millwall’s ground in south east London.

Ahead of the match, the Met posted on X: “On Saturday, 19 September at 12:30hrs, @MillwallFC face @WestHam at the Den – the first time the two clubs have met since 2012.

“We want fans to enjoy the match safely and have worked with both clubs to help this happen.

“As with any fixture, the Sporting Events Act 1985 is in place, which means entering or attempting to enter a ground while intoxicated is strictly prohibited.

“A Section 35 dispersal order will also be in place, allowing officers to remove anyone causing disorder. It will cover this area (below).”

The area of south east London covered by the Met Police’s dispersal order

Met Police

These dispersal orders are used for matches with fierce rivalry between clubs, such as the north London derby between Arsenal and Spurs.

Rival fans will be told to use specific Tube and rail stations on Saturday in an attempt to keep supporters of the two clubs apart.

Hammers fans will be escorted by police from South Bermondsey station to the ground.

Violence has erupted at past games between Millwall and West Ham.

Former West Ham boss Harry Redknapp argued for the two clubs to be kept apart in cup games after the Carling Cup tie between the London rivals in 2009.

One man was stabbed and the match itself was interrupted on three occasions by fans invading the pitch.

Former West Ham boss Harry Redknapp

The Hammers currently lead the Championship, having been relegated from the Premier League last year, with Millwall 11th.

The match is the first league meeting between the two clubs since February 2012, when West Ham won 2-1 in the Championship.

However, Millwall are unbeaten in five home league games against the Hammers, having won three and drawn two since a 1-0 defeat in December 1988.

West Ham has issued guidance to its supporters on how they should travel to The Den on Saturday for the lunchtime kick-off.

“Away supporters travelling to The Den should use South Bermondsey station, which is the designated station for visiting supporters on matchday,” the club explained.

“South Bermondsey is served by regular trains from London Bridge, with the journey taking only a few minutes.

“Supporters travelling from other parts of London or further afield can use London Bridge as a connecting point before taking a train to South Bermondsey.”

Football fans outside The Den

AFP/Getty

The club added: “From South Bermondsey, a walkway will take supporters directly to and from the away turnstiles.

“Please follow the instructions of police officers and stewards when arriving at the station and making your way towards the stadium.

“Please note that away supporters using other local stations will be turned away and directed to South Bermondsey station.”