Euro 2024 in Germany is set to host the biggest soccer security operation in history, with German authorities working to counter soccer hooliganism and potential terror threats. The event is expected to attract 300,000 fans from England and Scotland alone, raising concerns about security. To address these concerns, Germany has pulled together 300 of Europe’s top police officials to oversee the security challenge from the International Police Cooperation Centre in Neuss. Among them are three specialist officers from the UK Football Policing Unit, who will play a vital role in the intelligence operation.
Former Met officer Mick Johnson, director of the UK Football Policing Unit, explained that the team of three officers will work in shifts and have plain-clothed operational football officers on the ground watching fans. If any troublemakers or banned individuals are identified, they will report to the UK team who will then relay the information to German authorities for action. This system has been used successfully in the past, and Johnson praised the Germans for their expertise in organizing security operations.
The security forces face the daunting task of protecting 2.7 million fans, 24 team base camps, and ten stadiums where 51 matches will be played. With fan zones expected to attract 12 million visitors and identified as potential terror targets, police leave has been banned to ensure maximum security. Germany has invited 300 security experts from competing nations to work alongside officials from Germany, Europol, and UEFA at the state-of-the-art Neuss HQ. The experts will sift through live CCTV streams and receive information from undercover spotters mingling with fans in order to identify potential troublemakers.
The security measures include closing borders temporarily, ramping up frontier checks, and implementing a ring of steel around every team base. More than 1,600 known England troublemakers have been banned from traveling to Germany during the tournament. Between 800 and 1,300 police officers will be deployed around the stadiums at each match, guarding three separate security perimeters. Cars will be checked, bags searched, and tickets scanned to ensure maximum safety.
In addition to physical security measures, the German Army will scan the skies for drone attacks and provide data to the central command of the International Police Cooperation Centre. Mick Johnson anticipates that a minority of England fans may cause trouble but hopes it will be kept to a minimum. He stated that England fans tend not to engage in premeditated violent outbursts, but there are always concerns about anti-social behavior. However, he remains hopeful that the tournament will be enjoyable for all and that England fans will be voted the best fans in the tournament.
Overall, the security operation at Euro 2024 is a massive undertaking involving coordination between various countries and agencies. The presence of top police officials from across Europe demonstrates the seriousness with which Germany is approaching the security challenges. By utilizing advanced technology, intelligence gathering, and experienced personnel, they aim to ensure the safety of fans, players, and staff throughout the tournament.