UK police issue pictures in hooligan probe

British police today released more pictures of men they want to question after 127 officers were injured in rioting outside a football stadium.

The Metropolitan Police have already released 50 images taken from CCTV footage following violence at The New Den, in Rotherhithe, south-east London, after the match between Millwall and Birmingham City on May 2.

The 10 images released today are the first batch of a further 100 taken by detectives on Operation Zampa, the special investigations team set up to identify and prosecute those involved in the violence.

Police have described the rioting as the worst example of football-associated hooliganism in London, with weapons including bricks and flares used by the rioters.

Of the 300 officers on duty that night, 127 received injuries ranging from minor bruising to broken limbs and seven are still off sick.

Sixteen police horses were also injured and there was substantial damage to police and public property.

Detective Chief Inspector Peter Newman, who heads up Operation Zampa, said: ‘‘The incident room has dealt with more than 100 calls leading to the identification and charging of 21 men.

‘‘It is clear the public was sickened by the sight of police officers and animals being attacked by potentially lethal missiles, vehicles set alight and property damaged that night - all in the name of football.’’

Some 50 images have been released over recent weeks, taken from more than 2,000 hours of research on video footage alone.

The police investigation received its first result last week when roofer Ian Harman, 38, from Folkestone, Kent, was jailed for two years by Woolwich Crown Court and banned from attending football games in the UK and abroad for 10 years.

Of those charged, 15 are to appear at the Old Bailey and Woolwich Crown Court later this month and during July. Three juveniles are awaiting trial dates at Camberwell Youth Court.

Mr Newman said research was continuing on the CCTV footage to produce images that can be used to help identify more of the rioters.