BRIT holiday hotspot Magaluf is bracing itself for boozy England fans flooding to the sunny island ahead of the blockbuster Euros clash with Serbia.
Police reinforcements have already been drafted in to Magaluf after officials confirmed they are “intensifying their efforts” to keep the public safe with extra cops on patrol during all England ties.
AlamyMagaluf is bracing itself for boozy England fans flooding to the sunny island ahead of the blockbuster Euros clash with Serbia[/caption]
AFP – GettyOfficials confirmed they are ‘intensifying their efforts’ to keep the public safe with extra cops on patrol during all England ties.[/caption]
EPAMagaluf is expected to be flooded with football fans over the next month for the tournament with special measures already in place[/caption]
Council chiefs covering the party resort have been reassuring locals that the rowdy Brits won’t cause any issues after a turbulent few months with tourist problems on the island.
A spokesman for Calvia Council, which employs the officers who make up one of the two forces responsible for policing in Magaluf, said: “Local police will intensify their efforts to guarantee the safety of tourists and residents the days of key matches, such as those that involve teams like England.
“On Sunday when England play against Serbia there are going to be more police in the Magaluf area.”
The council is also set to be keeping a very close eye on bars, pubs and social venues that are showing the games across June and July.
With the final game of the evenings typically kicking off at 9pm local time each night cops are keen to ensure people are home safely in the dead of night.
They have also declared to be on high alert for any excess noise from busy establishments.
The spokesman said: “We have established strict regulations for the installation of TV screens inside and outside public establishments.
“Those regulations include the obligation to obtain a licence to initiate and exercise activity, as well as the obligation to present documentation on the sound level limiter, if applicable.”
Calvia’s mayor Juan Antonio Amengual has spent the last few days emphasising the importance of sticking to the regulations regarding noise controls.
The council spokesman added: “Those responsible for establishments with open-air areas have an obligation to adequately manage the noise levels while they’re open for business.
“Screens and TVs should be facing the inside of those establishments to avoid crowding in public spaces that can interfere with pedestrian and other traffic.”
Despite the Magaluf crackdown, the Spanish Civil Guard, who govern all of Spain, are yet to make any formal announcements in preparation for the tournament.
Reports do suggest that they will work alongside the local police force to bolster up squads in problem areas especially around the strip.
Dubbed operation High Impact Zulu Bravo, the cops will also use drones to patrol beer gardens with them being first deployed for Sundays game.
EUROS SECURITY OPERATIONS
Over in Germany the police reinforcements have been specially developed for the event.
Cops across the nation will secure high profile Euros game with a robust ring of steel made up of thousands of armed cops to shield against potential attacks.
The first time the ring will be used will be in tonight’s opening clash between the hosts and Scotland.
Crowds are expected to be monitored closely under widespread CCTV, AI and the watchful eye of “super spotters” and plain-clothed officers.
Germany‘s interior minister Nancy Faeser said 350 foreign cops will be dispatched as part of security to “above all on the threat of Islamist terrorism“.
The prolific death cult, ISIS, has hurled out repeated threats against events like the Euros, Champions League and Paris Olympics in recent months.
It has also been revealed that fans who feel “unsafe” or “threatened” during the tournament have been told to say “Panama” to police or staff to get help.
Competition organisers in Gelsenkirchen – where England face Serbia on Sunday – sent out the message today to fans.
Upon hearing the word Panama staff are meant to “immediately offer the possibility of a place to retreat”.
There is also a specialist Panama team at the games who are “a multilingual, multi-professional team trained in crisis intervention, non-violent communication and de-escalation”.
The safety warnings are being aimed at Three Lions fans going to the match on Sunday against Serbia after a number of worrying reports in recent days.
On Tuesday, England fans were warned that a 500-strong army of “violence-seeking Serbian hooligans” are set to swarm Sunday’s huge clash.
The opening game for both sides has already been labelled as a “very high risk” match by German cops with 1,300 extra officers being deployed on matchday as well as heavily increased surveillance.
Despite Both saying they don’t “have concrete information” on the number of travelling thugs he vowed his team will prepare for any eventuality.
He told The Guardian: “I guess the biggest challenge for us will be to identify violent, disruptive groups at an early stage, to separate them from peaceful and law-abiding fans, that will be our biggest challenge.”
Roughly 500,000 Serbs live in Germany and there are fears some may travel to Gelsenkirchen specifically to cause trouble.
Are the Serbs the most notorious football fans?
FROM pitch raids to mass brawls and death threats, Serbian hooligans are known wreak havoc and create carnage during football games.
Die-hard groups of hooligans are intertwined with football in Serbia – and they are known for ruthlessly attacking players on the pitch and storming opposition stalls when the match turns against them.
Hooligan firms in the Balkan state have chilling names such as The Gravediggers, Head Hunters, Zulu Warriors, and the Red Devils.
And one of their most vicious leaders is known as “Ivan the Terrible”.
In 2012, Ivan – who has been linked to Serbian far-right paramilitaries – forced a Euros qualifying match between Serbia and Italy in Genoa to be abandoned after trying to attack rival fans and police.
He rallied supporters to lob live flares and bangers onto the pitch as players warmed up and ordered them to break down barriers separating them from Italian fans while taunting police.
Tracing their lineage back to the Balkan war of the 1990s, Serb football hooligans are renowned for their tough-as-nails attitude and love of violence.
They are known for throwing live bangers at players who have switched sides and invading the pitches when games don’t go their way.
In the past, the Ultras have killed rival fans – including a Toulouse supporter in 2009 who was beaten to death with iron bars and bicycle chains.
AFP or licensorsCops have already taken up special safety measures for the Euros especially in Germany[/caption]
Getty Images – GettyPolice are looking to avoid fan clashes seen in previous tournaments with England fans such as in Marseille eight years ago[/caption]