British police on Euro 2016 hooligan alert for Marseilles game

Police hope the far more serious security risk posed by terrorism might discourage the minority of fans inclined to anti-social behaviour

French police stand between local youths and England fans during the 1998 World Cup (AFP/Getty Images)

Senior police officers believe England’s return to Marseilles – the scene of ugly fighting at the 1998 World Cup – poses a greater threat of violence at Euro 2016 than the Group B match with Wales in Lens, and have set up a London-based team of detectives to tackle violence and criminality during Euro 2016, The Independent understands.

English and Tunisian fans clashed in the Mediterranean city before their teams’ first game at France 98 and Russia – who are now facing the same kind of hooliganism that England has done much to purge – are the team Roy Hodgson’s players meet in the same city on 11 June.

British police “spotters” have witnessed a creeping return of anti-social behaviour at England away games, even if fears of trouble at the autumn friendly in Dublin proved unfounded.

Police hope the far more serious security risk posed by terrorism, following the attacks in Paris last month, might encourage the minority of fans inclined to anti-social behaviour to cut it out next summer and act responsibly.

The level of the terror threat has meant links have been forged between the UK Football Policing Unit and counter-terrorism command. Assistant Chief Constable Mark Roberts, who heads the Football Policing Unit, said: “We are still seven months out but we have a clear idea of where we are going with preparations. Whatever threat might emerge, we have to adapt our plans to help the French.”

British police also intend to learn lessons from a racist attack by Chelsea fans on the Paris Métro in their attempts to deal with potential criminality.

The assault on commuter Souleymane Sylla in February was captured by a passer-by in mobile phone footage that went viral and senior British officers anticipate the visibility of similar anti-social behaviour provoking a clamour to apprehend the perpetrators.

The newly appointed team intend to use social media and CCTV images to launch their own investigations, rather than wait for their French counterparts.

The detectives – from inside the Metropolitan Police – will form the first team created within the UK for a football tournament, designed to ensure there is a rapid response.

Two senior detectives were appointed last week to lead the Football Policing Unit team which, in the case of a serious incident, will seek to identify criminals and bring arrests on their return to these shores. They will also coordinate with field officers sent to France.

The levels of available social media intelligence and media images are expected to be unprecedented for an international football tournament, as half a million Britons travel to see four home nations compete in France.

The London-based team would either put together a dossier on any incident to provide to French counterparts, or seek to impose banning orders on suspects when they re-enter the country.

The relative proximity of next summer’s tournament means that some fans will look to make several trips, rather than stay over. Those tempted to commit a crime could find themselves confined to the UK on their return, thanks to banning-order legislation.