POLICE in East Anglia have launched a major operation to stop football hooligans travelling from the region to the World Cup finals. Officers have pledged to be vigilant at the region's ports and airports to prevent troublemakers heading out to the tournament, which starts in Germany on June 9.

By Annie Davidson

POLICE in East Anglia have launched a major operation to stop football hooligans travelling from the region to the World Cup finals.

Officers have pledged to be vigilant at the region's ports and airports to prevent troublemakers heading out to the tournament, which starts in Germany on June 9.

They will also be monitoring more than 50 known hooligans from Essex and Suffolk, who are banned from attending overseas football matches.

The thugs, who are linked to a number of clubs including Ipswich Town and Colchester United, will be reminded of their obligation to surrender their passports before the World Cup begins.

Essex Police Special Operations Chief Inspector Jon Dodman said: “We have got an operation running at Stansted Airport and Harwich International Port which is to stop people on banning orders leaving the country.

“We are also visiting people with international football banning orders and serving them with a letter reminding them of the conditions. We will give them the opportunity to surrender their passports there and then.”

There are 2,300 football “supporters” in England and Wales banned from travelling to the World Cup, including 42 from Essex, 10 from Suffolk and 15 from Norfolk.