| During
the 80's, at the height of football violence, the police developed new tactics
against football hooligans. This involved much more closer surveillance
by the police as well as in some cases infiltration by undercover officers
and dossiers began to build up on the ringleaders and gang members of various
hooligan groups, this tactics eventually led the police to carry out dawn
raids on suspected hooligans homes, the first of which took place in March
1986. This section gives a brief history of these raids. |
Chelsea:
Operation Own Goal
On the morning of the 26 March 1986,
seven Chelsea fans were woken from their beds by police and arrested in
front of media cameras. The arrests were carried out after months of observation
and surveillance work by plain-clothes police investigating organized violence
at Chelsea matches.
The operation was very high profile,
hence the media cameras, and was part of the governments new high profile
tactics against the hooligan. During the press conference police claimed
that the men were all ringleaders of a gang known as the 'Chelsea Headhunters'
, were aged between 19-34, of smart appearance, and in good well paid jobs.
Police took a number of articles from each of the accused house, according
to newspaper reports police took, knives, a crossbow, coshes, iron bars
and other weapons as well as National Front literature. Later, after the
raids, the office in charge denied that his officers had travelled to matches
with the fans in plain clothes and claimed his officers had worn uniforms.
Judging by the evidence given in court it appeared to be a limited operation.
Birmingham:
Operation Red Card
This operation ended in January 1987
when police raided the homes of 67 young men allegedly members of a group
called the 'Zulu Warriors', supporters of Birmingham City. In total 49
were, nearly all pleaded guilty to various offences ranging from violent
disorder and affray; to theft and burglary; wounding and endangering life
on a railway train; etc. Fifteen were jailed from between 3 months to
30 months.
West
Ham and Millwall: Operation Full-Time
At around the same time as operation
Red Card came operation Full-Time aimed at fans of West Ham and Millwall
and there respective groups, the 'Inter City Firm' and Bushwhackers'.
This time a total of 25 alleged hooligans were arrested in a dawn swoop
by over 250 officers after a 5 month police operation. About 6 months
later 7 Millwall fans had their charges dropped and when the fans finally
came to court the prosecution offered no evidence and the case was dropped.
Leeds:
Operation Wild Boar
Operation Wild Boar was the culmination
of 5 months infiltration work by 4 police officers and resulted in the
arrest of 11 young men aged between 17-30 and all were charged with conspiracy
to cause an affray. It was alleged in court that officers travelled with
the fans who were supposedly members of a gang called the 'Leeds Service
Crew' and a leader known as the 'General'. The Crown Court trial lasted
nine weeks, resulting in 6 of the accused being jailed, 3 for four years,
2 for two and half years and 1 for eight months. Another youth received
fifteen months Youth Custody order and another was ordered to carry out
a 150 hours Community Service. The man who was nicknamed the 'General'
was an ex-para, hence his nickname, was jailed for four years and found
to be suffering Post Traumatic Street Syndrome after serving in the Falklands
War, resulting in the judge recommending some form of psychiatric treatment.
West
Ham and Crystal Palace:
Operation White Horse and Back
Yard
April 27 1987, saw the arrest of 46
young men from the south-east of England. They were mainly supporters
of West Ham (10) and Crystal Palace (32). Eventually all the accused had
their charges dropped due to 'unsafe' evidence.
Millwall:
Operation Dirty Den
April 1988 saw the arrest of six Millwall
supporters, alleged members of the 'Bushwhackers'. Four were cleared after
a 3 month trial but the other two were convicted of conspiracy to cause
an affray.
Luton:
Operation Spoonbill
March 1988 saw the arrest of 8 fans
during dawn raids on 17 homes by police. The 8 arrested were aged between
24 and 38 and were accused of belonging to a gang called the 'MIGS'. All
were charged with Conspiracy to commit acts of disorder. Eventually all
8 had the conspiracy charged dropped, though 5 were charged with lesser
public order offences.
Wolves:
Operation Growth
March 1988 saw the biggest raid yet
and the one which produced the most convictions. A total of 250 officers
arrested 67 men and further arrests raised the figure to 77. The raids
again were again the result of an undercover operation by police. The
accused were all aged between 17 and 36, charges against the fans ranged
from conspiracy to riot, violent disorder and criminal damage, to theft.
By December 1988 65 had pleaded guilty to various charges, 40 received
immediate or suspended jail term and all received 5 year exclusion orders
from football stadiums.
Manchester
City: Operation Omega
April 1988 and this time 25 Manchester
City fans were arrested in dawn raids after a 6 month undercover operation.
The group targeted were name 'The Guvnors', calling cards, knives, coshes
and other weapons were all taken from the homes of the accused.
Bolton
Wanderers: Operation Gamma
This raid was carried out on the homes
of fans of Bolton Wanderers. By May 1990, 34 fans had plead guilty to
various charges, nine were jailed the heaviest sentence being three years.
Manchester
United:
A further dawn raid was carried out
by Greater Manchester Police in November 1990, this time on the homes
of 33 Manchester United fans.
Any
correspondence should be e-mailed to
view_from_the_terrace@lineone.net
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