HC Deb 23 May 2000 vol 350 cc401-2W
Mr. Jim Murphy

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what legal action will be taken in the United Kingdom against those English football fans recently arrested in Copenhagen; [123414]

(2) what action will be taken to prevent those English football fans recently arrested in Copenhagen from travelling to football matches overseas during Euro 2000; [123476]

(3) how many of the English football fans recently arrested in Copenhagen have restriction orders against them prohibiting them from travelling abroad to football matches. [123475]

Mr. Charles Clarke

The 15 individuals arrested in Copenhagen were not convicted of any offence and no legal action can be taken against them in the United Kingdom. None are subject to a restriction or any other category of football banning order. Under current football legislation, the only individuals who can be prevented from travelling to Euro 2000 are the 106 hooligans currently subject to an international ban. However, the Dutch and Belgian police have extensive powers to refuse entry to any individual or group felt to pose a risk to public order. The National Criminal Intelligence Service will provide them with details of the 15 individuals along with details of the 388 persons currently subject to domestic football bans. Police will be monitoring all England supporters at every United Kingdom exit point throughout the tournament and the information gathered will be shared with the Dutch, Belgian and French police, in addition to the United Kingdom police teams operating in all three countries.

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