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

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.

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 Getty 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.

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.