A significant security operation was put in place around The Den on Saturday as Millwall hosted West Ham United in the Championship, marking the first meeting between the two London rivals in 14 years.
The Metropolitan Police deployed approximately 400 officers for the fixture, a dramatic increase from the usual 60 to 150 officers typically assigned to Championship matches. The heightened presence reflected concerns over potential disorder given the fixture's fraught history and the long gap since the sides last faced off, with West Ham winning 2-1 back in February 2012.
Enhanced stop and search powers were granted to officers for the day, running until 8pm, as part of efforts to prevent clashes between rival supporters. The measures allowed police to intervene proactively against anyone suspected of intending to cause trouble.
Images from outside the ground on matchday showed a heavy police footprint, including mounted units patrolling the perimeter and numerous vans stationed nearby. Officers were seen wearing riot helmets, though they did not carry shields during the operation. The Met also brought in dog units and live facial recognition technology to bolster surveillance and identify known troublemakers among the crowds.
To further limit the risk of confrontation, supporters of both clubs were directed to use designated Tube and rail stations, a measure designed to keep the two fan bases separated as they travelled to and from the match.
The force confirmed via a post on X that a Section 35 dispersal order was active for the fixture, granting officers the authority to remove any individuals engaged in disorderly conduct from a defined area of south east London. The statement read: "On Saturday, 19 September at 12:30hrs, @MillwallFC face @WestHam at the Den – the first time the two clubs have met since 2012. We want fans to enjoy the match safely and have worked with both clubs to help this happen. As with any fixture, the Sporting Events Act 1985 is in place, which means entering or attempting to enter a ground while intoxicated is strictly prohibited. A Section 35 dispersal order will also be in place, allowing officers to remove anyone causing disorder."
As of the time of reporting, police had not released any information regarding arrests made during the operation.
The scale of the security response underscores the volatile history between the two clubs. Tensions boiled over notably in 2009 during a Carling Cup tie, when a supporter was stabbed and the match was halted three times due to fans encroaching onto the pitch. That incident prompted former West Ham manager Harry Redknapp to publicly call for the clubs to be separated in future cup draws, citing the risks posed by fixtures between the two sides.
With Saturday's Championship encounter representing the clubs' first league meeting in over a decade, authorities were clearly determined to avoid a repeat of past disorder. The combination of increased manpower, technological surveillance, and travel restrictions formed a comprehensive strategy aimed at ensuring the match could proceed without major incident, allowing football to remain the focus of the derby day occasion.
Based on reporting from Standard Football.