Home Office (National)
HOME OFFICE 380/97
The crucial factors for a successful World Cup "98 are organisation, co-operation and information, Home Secretary Jack Straw said today.
Announcing a new get-tough regime for imposing restriction orders and the date of Britain`s European Seminar on Football Hooliganism, Mr Straw said:
"World Cup "98 will first and foremost be a football festival and we hope that everyone going from Britain will travel in that spirit.
"And remember, if you don`t have a ticket - then don`t travel at all.
"The Government is determined to do everything possible to promote the interests of respectable supporters and prevent their enjoyment and our international reputation being ruined by a mindless minority.
"Britain is taking a lead by organising a major seminar on football hooliganism as part of our Presidency of the EU Council. I will be hosting the meeting on 27-28 February at Ewood Park, home of Blackburn Rovers.
"The Seminar is being held to bring agencies together before World Cup "98. It will consist of presentations from European government officials and football organisations followed by detailed working groups for police officers to exchange ideas, information and expertise.
"In the meantime, the police, the courts and prosecutors have been reminded of the power to impose restriction orders on those convicted of football related offences. I now expect to see vigorous use of these powers over the coming months. For the convicted hooligan, the issue of a restriction order will mean a visit to the police station - not the World Cup in France.
"Imposing more restriction orders will help but the crucial factors for a successful tournament are organisation, co-operation and information - not legislation. With this in mind, the Government has set up working groups at official level to bring focus and drive to our effort.
"We are already providing the French authorities with details on our successful organisation of Euro"96. I also made clear when I met my French counterparts that close co-operation between our governments and agencies will continue and Britain will be offering every possible assistance.
"In addition, the police have established arrangements for gathering information and intelligence on potential troublemakers and feeding this to the French authorities.
"Now we have had the draw, the FA and Scottish FA will be visiting the venues. The Association of Police Officers and the Association of Chief Police Officers (Scotland) will also be contacting local police commanders in France with a view to inviting them over to see matches in Britain to get a feel for the way our supporters and the way they are used to being policed.
"With our world-recognised expertise in crowd control and combating football hooliganism, we will over the next six months continue to make every effort to ensure that World Cup "98 is as enjoyable off the field as on - and at the same time boost our own bid for the World Cup in 2006."
Notes to Editors
1. Restriction Orders:
Under the Football Spectators Act 1989, the Courts can (at the time of conviction) impose restriction orders on those convicted of football related offences to prevent them from attending matches abroad involving teams from England or Wales.
Those subject to restriction orders are required to report to a police station (of their choice) around the time match is taking place. It is an offence to fail to do so.
There are currently 10 orders in force.
2. Letters:
In time for the busy Christmas football programme, the Home Office has sent Chief Police officers a new Circular reminding them of the operation of Restriction Orders and setting out detailed guidance on the procedures the police should adopt.
The Lord Chancellor`s Department has also written to all Resident Judges and Judges Clerks reminding recipients of the power to impose restriction orders and the Crown Prosecution Service has sent letters to prosecutors urging them to seek orders at the time of conviction for football related offences.
3. Working groups:
As lead department, the Home Office has set up a working group to co-ordinate UK action to prevent football hooliganism at World Cup "98. The groups have members drawn from:
Home Office (Chair); Foreign and Commonwealth Office (including the Paris Embassy); Scottish Office; Department of Culture, Media and Sport; Football Licensing Authority; Football Association; Scottish Football Association; Association of Chief Police Officers (E, W and NI and Scotland); National Criminal Intelligence Service; British Transport Police.
4. Mr Straw met his French counterparts (Interior Minister Jean Pierre Chevenement and Justice Minister Elisabeth Guigou) on 20- 21 October, in Paris.
