Football fans warned about behaviour

Euro 2012 is ready to kick start an exciting summer of sport with police hoping the only kick off, is on the pitch.

South Yorkshire Police is urging local people to enjoy the matches safely and responsibly when the tournament takes place in Poland and Ukraine between 8th June and 1st July.

The force says it is taking all necessary steps to ensure a safe environment and minimise any disruption.

Officers will be employing their usual ‘fair and friendly’ approach to policing the event but warned that unruly, antisocial, or violent behaviour will not be tolerated.

There will be an increase in police in town and city centres across South Yorkshire, and at Robin Hood Airport.

Police are advising people travelling to the event itself via the airport to monitor travel information and to arrive in plenty of time before their flight as it is expected to be busy with additional checks in place to prevent those people intent on causing trouble from travelling.

People who already have football banning orders have surrendered their passports to the police, so they will not be able to travel legally and are to remain in the UK during the tournament.

Ch Supt David Hartley said: “We have an exciting summer of sporting events ahead of us and the eyes of the world will fall on the UK.”

“This event is an ideal opportunity for a variety of communities across South Yorkshire to come together and enjoy the excitement of the competition.”

“Our policing operation is designed to stop any trouble causers travelling abroad, and locally we seek to minimise the incidents of antisocial behaviour and alcohol-related disorder linked to the competition.”

“Together with our partners, particularly staff at Robin Hood Airport, we will do everything we can to ensure that people can enjoy themselves in a safe environment and that people who are wishing to go about their daily business can do so with as minimal disruption as possible.”