A databank of known criminals will be created

Cleveland Police says it is to look at a hardcore of known hooligans who may be attempting to travel to the forthcoming European Championships in Portugal.

The move also follows violent scenes at Sunderland's Stadium of Light, during England's Euro 2004 qualifier with Turkey last year.

The Cleveland force's operation will centre on known hooligans in the Middlesbrough and Hartlepool areas.

Officers believe there is a hardcore of about 50 Middlesbrough and 30 Hartlepool followers who regularly seek trouble at matches in the UK.

Detective Sergeant Ian Fawcett, one of the officers spearheading the new unit, said: "We are building up a data bank of names of trouble-makers and we will actively be seeking banning orders preventing them from heading to the championships.

Banning orders

"We are advocating a more proactive and robust approach to hooliganism at grounds.

"All football-related arrests will be supported by ourselves in going for a banning order from the courts."

Magistrates who refuse to issue such orders will have to give their reasons why in open court and the officers also intend to use the civil courts to get banning orders against known troublemakers.

Detective Constable Steve Burke added: "Most hooligans are working men between the ages of 20 and 50, respectable and, in the main, married.

"On match days they simply snap and want to become involved in organised violence. Clashes are usually pre-arranged over the telephone or on the Internet.

"This is an opportunity to make a difference. I would like to see football supporters act like rugby supporters and grounds become a place where the family can go without witnessing threats, violence and being subjected to foul and abusive language.

"I don't take my kids to games simply because of the foul language and racist comments that occur."

People subjected to banning orders can face exclusion zones, wide-scale travel bans and reporting restrictions. They can even be forced to surrender their passports.