Police Plan 400 Officers for Millwall-West Ham Derby
Police Plan 400 Officers for Millwall-West Ham Derby
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Key Points
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West Ham manager? No—Millwall manager Alex Neil said the club embraces its outsider image, telling SunSport: “We love being hated,” and described the rivalry as deeply embedded in local families, with children often raised in either Millwall or West Ham shirts.
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Police and West Ham warned that false AI-generated messages claiming South Bermondsey station would be closed could be an attempt to divert away supporters toward other stations and create disorder.
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There will be no car parking or official coach service for West Ham supporters attending the match, who will be escorted via a walkway from South Bermondsey station directly to and from the away turnstiles.
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The fixture’s violent history includes the deaths of a Millwall fan in 1976 and a West Ham supporter in 1986, as well as the 2009 Upton Park riot during a League Cup tie.
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West Ham said discriminatory behavior or chanting could lead to the club taking its “strongest possible action,” including lifetime bans and referral to police, citing potential criminal consequences.
Millwall and West Ham will face off at The Den on Saturday in their first competitive meeting in 14 years, marking the 100th fixture between the fierce east London rivals. Metropolitan Police is deploying about 400 officers for a major security operation, with City of London Police joining forces to enforce a Section 35 dispersal order spanning from Tower Bridge to Blackheath. The order runs from 8am to 8pm on September 19.
West Ham supporters must use South Bermondsey station and follow a designated walking route directly to the away entrance. Police and both clubs have warned fans against disorder, intoxication, and discriminatory behavior, with offenders facing criminal charges, stadium bans, or removal under the dispersal order.
A Brutal History Shapes Saturday's Intensity
The Millwall-West Ham rivalry runs deep in east London families and goes back generations. News Shopper notes that the fixture has been marked by serious violence. A Millwall fan died in 1976 during a clash. A West Ham supporter was killed in 1986. In 2009, a League Cup tie at Upton Park sparked a major riot.
Millwall manager Alex Neil has fully embraced the club's outsider identity. He told SunSport: "We love being hated." Neil described the rivalry as woven into the fabric of local communities, where children are often raised wearing either Millwall or West Ham colors from birth.
Tight Security and Strict Entry Rules for Away Fans
West Ham supporters face strict travel restrictions. They cannot bring cars or use official coaches to reach The Den. Metropolitan Police requires all away fans to enter via South Bermondsey station and walk an escorted route to the away turnstiles.
After the match, Millwall supporters may be barred from using South Bermondsey station for up to an hour to prevent clashes. Police and West Ham have warned that fake AI-generated messages claiming the station would be closed could be attempts to divert away fans toward other routes and spark disorder.
Lifetime Bans and Criminal Charges for Misconduct
Both clubs are taking a hard line on bad behavior. West Ham said it will pursue "the strongest possible action" against fans who engage in discriminatory chanting or conduct, including lifetime stadium bans and referral to police for potential criminal prosecution.
The dispersal order gives City of London Police and Metropolitan Police power to remove troublemakers from the area and enforce fines or criminal charges. Intoxication, violent behavior, and hateful conduct all carry the risk of arrest or permanent bans. West Ham enters the match as early Championship leaders.
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