Officers with the Metropolitan Police are embarking on a pan-London operation with colleagues from BTP amid concerns over a potential flashpoint football match.

The Force said that the op would see officers deployed throughout the Capital ahead of the West Ham v Millwall Championship fixture that takes place on Saturday February 4.

In a statement, senior Met officers also stressed that there would be “a robust presence” at West Ham’s Upton Park stadium and reassurance for the local community.

The statement pledged that any signs of trouble between the two sets of fans, who have traditionally had a fierce rivalry that has spilled over into violence on several occasions, would be dealt with robustly and decisively.

However the Force said that it had liaised closely with both football clubs and said that there was no immediate information to suggest that there would be violence.

Ch Supt Sean Vickers, Borough Commander for Newham and Match Commander for the event, said: "The Met has a great deal of experience in policing high-profile football matches and we will not tolerate any troublemakers.

"We have been working closely with Millwall and West Ham for several months and we know we can deliver an event that legitimate football fans will enjoy.”

As previously reported on PoliceOracle.com, Hampshire Police recently deployed a new tactic during the potential troublesome Portsmouth v Southampton match.

Overseen by Supt Ricky Burrows – a leading authority on football-related policing – officers provided a protective “bubble” around visiting Southampton fans, escorting them to the ground and out immediately after the game.

The tactic proved highly successful, with the game passing off without disorder.