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During the 80's, at the height of football violence, the police developed new tactics against football hooligans. This involved much more closer surveillance by the police as well as in some cases infiltration by undercover officers and dossiers began to build up on the ringleaders and gang members of various hooligan groups, this tactics eventually led the police to carry out dawn raids on suspected hooligans homes, the first of which took place in March 1986. This section gives a brief history of these raids.
Chelsea: Operation Own Goal
On the morning of the 26 March 1986, seven Chelsea fans were woken from their beds by police and arrested in front of media cameras. The arrests were carried out after months of observation and surveillance work by plain-clothes police investigating organized violence at Chelsea matches.
The operation was very high profile, hence the media cameras, and was part of the governments new high profile tactics against the hooligan. During the press conference police claimed that the men were all ringleaders of a gang known as the 'Chelsea Headhunters' , were aged between 19-34, of smart appearance, and in good well paid jobs. Police took a number of articles from each of the accused house, according to newspaper reports police took, knives, a crossbow, coshes, iron bars and other weapons as well as National Front literature. Later, after the raids, the office in charge denied that his officers had travelled to matches with the fans in plain clothes and claimed his officers had worn uniforms. Judging by the evidence given in court it appeared to be a limited operation.
Birmingham: Operation Red Card
This operation ended in January 1987 when police raided the homes of 67 young men allegedly members of a group called the 'Zulu Warriors', supporters of Birmingham City. In total 49 were, nearly all pleaded guilty to various offences ranging from violent disorder and affray; to theft and burglary; wounding and endangering life on a railway train; etc. Fifteen were jailed from between 3 months to 30 months.
West Ham and Millwall: Operation Full-Time
At around the same time as operation Red Card came operation Full-Time aimed at fans of West Ham and Millwall and there respective groups, the 'Inter City Firm' and Bushwhackers'. This time a total of 25 alleged hooligans were arrested in a dawn swoop by over 250 officers after a 5 month police operation. About 6 months later 7 Millwall fans had their charges dropped and when the fans finally came to court the prosecution offered no evidence and the case was dropped.
Leeds: Operation Wild Boar
Operation Wild Boar was the culmination of 5 months infiltration work by 4 police officers and resulted in the arrest of 11 young men aged between 17-30 and all were charged with conspiracy to cause an affray. It was alleged in court that officers travelled with the fans who were supposedly members of a gang called the 'Leeds Service Crew' and a leader known as the 'General'. The Crown Court trial lasted nine weeks, resulting in 6 of the accused being jailed, 3 for four years, 2 for two and half years and 1 for eight months. Another youth received fifteen months Youth Custody order and another was ordered to carry out a 150 hours Community Service. The man who was nicknamed the 'General' was an ex-para, hence his nickname, was jailed for four years and found to be suffering Post Traumatic Street Syndrome after serving in the Falklands War, resulting in the judge recommending some form of psychiatric treatment.
West Ham and Crystal Palace: Operation White Horse and Back Yard
April 27 1987, saw the arrest of 46 young men from the south-east of England. They were mainly supporters of West Ham (10) and Crystal Palace (32). Eventually all the accused had their charges dropped due to 'unsafe' evidence.
Millwall: Operation Dirty Den
April 1988 saw the arrest of six Millwall supporters, alleged members of the 'Bushwhackers'. Four were cleared after a 3 month trial but the other two were convicted of conspiracy to cause an affray.
Luton: Operation Spoonbill
March 1988 saw the arrest of 8 fans during dawn raids on 17 homes by police. The 8 arrested were aged between 24 and 38 and were accused of belonging to a gang called the 'MIGS'. All were charged with Conspiracy to commit acts of disorder. Eventually all 8 had the conspiracy charged dropped, though 5 were charged with lesser public order offences.
Wolves: Operation Growth
March 1988 saw the biggest raid yet and the one which produced the most convictions. A total of 250 officers arrested 67 men and further arrests raised the figure to 77. The raids again were again the result of an undercover operation by police. The accused were all aged between 17 and 36, charges against the fans ranged from conspiracy to riot, violent disorder and criminal damage, to theft. By December 1988 65 had pleaded guilty to various charges, 40 received immediate or suspended jail term and all received 5 year exclusion orders from football stadiums.
Manchester City: Operation Omega
April 1988 and this time 25 Manchester City fans were arrested in dawn raids after a 6 month undercover operation. The group targeted were name 'The Guvnors', calling cards, knives, coshes and other weapons were all taken from the homes of the accused.
Bolton Wanderers: Operation Gamma
This raid was carried out on the homes of fans of Bolton Wanderers. By May 1990, 34 fans had plead guilty to various charges, nine were jailed the heaviest sentence being three years.
Manchester United:
A further dawn raid was carried out by Greater Manchester Police in November 1990, this time on the homes of 33 Manchester United fans
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