FOOTBALL fans who commit crimes, including domestic violence, after watching the World Cup on television will face a ban from domestic games next season.

Chief constables fear that the fortunes of the England team will be marred by violence from supporters watching the games in pubs, at home and on public screens in city centres.

Senior officers have drawn up plans to send reinforcements to forces under pressure during next month’s tournament and to open a national centre to co-ordinate police movements. They have also cancelled days off or holiday leave for many officers.

They are concerned that the liberalisation of licensing laws could increase the danger of trouble in pubs and clubs where millions will watch England’s games. Matches will be shown on large public screens in cities including Manchester, Birmingham, Hull, Cambridge and Leeds.

Alan Leaver, an assistant chief constable in Humberside and the man overseeing the domestic policing plans for England and Wales, said: “We have got to be prepared for a state of affairs that when England play there is a possibility of disorder — win, lose or draw. People get very, very excited, very drunk and that spills out on the streets. For whatever reason people then damage property, fight among themselves or target police. If people who we arrest caused trouble because of the England games we will seek banning orders for them domestically.”

Police will tell magistrates they believe that the violence was linked to the games. Mr Leaver said that even domestic violence linked to drinking and frustration at the results might lead to a ban, although police would have to prove the link.

Football banning orders are made by courts to prevent hooligans from causing further trouble. Bans last between two and ten years and if necessary courts can bar recipients from using public transport on match days and from visiting town centres, pubs and bars. There are about 4,000 banning orders in force.

Mr Leaver said that often the violence was in the most unexpected places. “History says there will be trouble,” he said. “A country town will suddenly have trouble — even Leamington Spa. In 2004 there was trouble in Boston, Lincolnshire.”

Forces have been told to draw up contingency plans and assess where they have the biggest risks. Mr Leaver said that the big urban forces had enough officers but provincial forces could be stretched and reinforcements would be sent from neighbours if local forces could not subdue the disorder.

During Euro 96 there was rioting in Trafalgar Square by 2,000 supporters after England lost to Germany. Two hundred arrests were made and forces reported trouble starting almost as soon as the final whistle was blown on a match that ended with a penalty shoot-out.

In 2002 there was trouble after England’s victory over Denmark in the World Cup. More than 100 fans fought police in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, and in Plymouth 54 people were arrested. When England beat Argentina there was fighting in Hull and Grimsby after a mob of 500 piled out of pubs.

Explore UK News

• Crime News

• Education News

• Health News

• Scotland News

Times Recommends

• What makes the perfect mum?
• To keep me stress-free, no more awareness days, please
• What do lottery winners buy?