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This page contains press release 50/02, which discusses the attack on police by Millwall fans on Thursday 2 May.
Warning: This is archived material and may be out of date. The Metropolitan Police Authority has been replaced by the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPC).
See the MOPC website for further information.
MPA Condemns Millwall fans' attack on police
50/02
03 May 2002
“The action of the Millwall fans was totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” Chair of the MPA Toby Harris said, following the attack on police after the Millwall v. Birmingham football match on Thursday 2 May. He continued:
“I call on Millwall FC’s directors and management to condemn this violence by voicing their support for the police action against these hooligans and to give their backing to the ongoing police enquiries.
“I also fully endorse Deputy Commissioner Ian Blair’s decision to take legal advice to consider what action can be taken to seek recompense for injuries and overall cost from Millwall FC.
“Met officers came under ferocious attack for one hour and ten minutes from a number of Millwall supporters who had left the ground before the end of the match.
“This attack was in a residential street, causing fear to the householders and leading to several cars being set on fire. All Londoners have the right to feel safe in their communities and should not have to experience this level of violence from any group.”
In all 47 police officers were injured, nine of whom were hospitalised. Of the 34 horses deployed, 26 were injured, one seriously. Missiles thrown at the police included bricks, concrete lumps, thunderflashes (which explode on contact) and flares. One public order officer’s NATO helmet was cut through by a missile.
Toby Harris added:
“I would like to pay tribute to the courage and determination of the officers involved. Ultimately police action prevented the Millwall fans confronting the Birmingham fans, who had to be escorted from the ground by public order police.
“Given the pressures the Met sustain in their fight against street crime and terrorism in our capital, we will not tolerate this level of violence.
“Millwall Football club has pioneered work in the community and it is important that this continues. We must ensure that this relatively small group of people do not have a harmful impact on sport in the future.”
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