| Hateland -
Articles |
04/05/02
- 47 officers hurt as yobs run riot in 2-hour orgy
By John Twomey
Daily Express
THE image of English soccer was back in the mire yesterday
after rioting hooligans attacked police leaving 47 officers
and 26 horses wounded. A series of mounted charges were
launched against a 900-strong mob of Millwall thugs
as they came under a barrage of bricks and broken paving
stones during running battles through residential streets.
Officers in full riot gear and the brave horses also
came under attack from yobs hurling powerful thunder
flashes and high intensity marine flares. Two parked
cars were torched. At the height of the two-hour orgy
of violence, police chiefs feared officers were in danger
of being killed in some of the worst rioting since the
inner city disturbances of the 1980s.
Rioting erupted outside Millwall's New Den stadium in
Bermondsey on Thursday night just after the 9.45pm final
whistle as the South London side was defeated 1-0 by
Birmingham City in the Division One play-off. Some senior
officers described it as the worst street violence ever
seen in the capital.
Injuries included a broken leg, a shattered arm and
a fractured foot as well as severe facial injuries.
Of the 26 wounded horses, one was seriously injured
when it reared up and crashed down into a parked car.
Last night, Scotland Yard was considering unprecedented
legal action against Millwall Football Club for compensation
for injuries to officers and the huge cost of the police
operation.
The Yard's top brass has called a crisis summit meeting
with Millwall and senior Football League officials in
the next few days to discuss moves to prevent a repeat
of the terrifying violence. Chief Superintendent Mike
Humphrey, who led the 300-strong police force, condemned
the thugs saying: "What we saw was totally unacceptable.
It has got to raise a question about football in the
future.
"I could have lost some officers - this is about
the real cost of football." Only a handful of arrests
were made on the night. But police chiefs vowed to track
down every thug involved after examining extensive CCTV
camera and police video footage. Anyone with information
was urged to ring 020 8284 5004. It is understood several
of the hardcore of trouble-makers have links with far-Right
extremist groups.
In the past Millwall hooligans have been identified
as being members of fascist organisations. Even before
the final whistle, a hardcore of Millwall thugs swarmed
outside to smash up paving stones in a nearby children's
playground to use as weapons. Ringleaders, using mobile
phones to co-ordinate the violence, grabbed thunder
flashes and flares from caches hidden in parked cars.
The hooligan hordes planned to attack rival Birmingham
supporters as they went home. But when they realised
the Midlanders had been kept back for their own safety,
the thugs ambushed police instead. One eye witness said:
"A mob of about 100 or so were throwing fireworks,
thunderflashes, stones, and bricks at the police. "I
saw one lot tearing down a road-sign and pulling up
paving slabs to lob at the police."
Sergeant Russell Lamb, 35, said: "It was like a
battlefield. The scene was like something from Bosnia."
The officer, who needed seven stitches to a gash to
his chin, saw officers "dropping like nine pins"
as thugs stood laughing in their faces. The father of
two, who has 15 years service, said: "It was one
of the most frightening situations I have ever been
in."
Simmering with anger, Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner
lan Blair told a press conference: "This is totally
unacceptable." Mr Blair said every police unit
on duty suffered casualties. Nine injured officers were
taken to hospital but were released yesterday. Police
chiefs had feared an outbreak of disorder if Millwall
lost the crucial match and had drawn up detailed contingency
plans.
But they were unprepared for the ferocity of the violence
they faced The trigger event for the violence outside
the ground was the last minute winner by Birmingham's
Stern John. Mr Humphrey, a veteran of 31 years who saw
service in the Brixton riots in the 1980s, said the
violence was among the worst he had experienced.
He described the ringleaders as thugs who indulged in
"recreational violence" who took advantage
of the hooligans' anger at Millwall's defeat. "If
they had won, we probably would not have had any trouble."
Millwall fan Michelle Thorpe, 35, fled her Renault as
a rampaging mob of thugs charged down the street and
hurled bricks at her car.
She said: "A woman from a nearby house ran out
and shouted, 'Get out of the car!' I am lucky to be
alive." Millwall's season has been blighted by
violent clashes with police. Before Thursday night's
riot, 60 had been arrested after trouble flared at five
matches involved the club and 43 thugs have been convicted
for violent disorder.
Thursday night's violence raises questions about the
way the criminal justice system deals with convicted
soccer thugs - particularly banning orders. Experts
suspect many of the thugs involved on Thursday have
previous convictions for violence and had been banned
from the club.
Millwall chairman Theo Paphitis yesterday promised
to do all he can to eradicate the "evil" of
football hooliganism. He said: "Millwall Football
Club deeply regrets the appalling incidents that took
place." The Football Supporters' Association warned
the violence tars all fans as "idiots". |
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