The Metropolitan Police are planning a huge-scale operation as Millwall and West Ham meet for the first time in 14 years on Saturday.
Amid fears of violence between fans of the fierce derby rivals, 400 police officers are set to be deployed onto the streets of east London, donned in riot gear though without shields.
This is around four times the normal police presence seen at Championship games, with 60 to 150 officers usually on duty.
The police have also been granted the special power of a Section 35 dispersal order which will allow officers to remove anyone deemed to be causing disorder.
The dispersal zone covers a sizeable chunk of London around the Den, stretching all the way from Tower Bridge in the west to as far as past Greenwich Park in the east – a distance of nearly five miles – hugging the River Thames while dropping to Ladywell station in the south.
A statement by the Met Police read: “On Saturday, 19 September at 12:30hrs, Millwall face West Ham 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.”
Fan unrest has been a common theme of past meetings between Millwall and West Ham, with the 2009 Carling Cup tie between the sides resulting in one man being stabbed.
The rivals have not met since a Championship meeting in February 2012, following the previous time West Ham were relegated, which saw the Hammers emerge 2-1 victors in a typically feisty clash, laden with pitch invasions.
West Ham supporters have been told which train station to use when travelling to the game in a bid to keep the fans separate before the lunchtime kick-off.
“Away supporters travelling to The Den should use South Bermondsey station, which is the designated station for visiting supporters on matchday,” the club wrote.
“South Bermondsey is served by regular trains from London Bridge, with the journey taking only a few minutes.
“Supporters travelling from other parts of London or further afield can use London Bridge as a connecting point before taking a train to South Bermondsey.
“From South Bermondsey, a walkway will take supporters directly to and from the away turnstiles.
“Please follow the instructions of police officers and stewards when arriving at the station and making your way towards the stadium.
“Please note that away supporters using other local stations will be turned away and directed to South Bermondsey station.”
West Ham go into the clash top of the Championship on goal difference, while last term’s promotion contenders Millwall are in 11th after stuttering at the start of the season.
