Police deploy 400 officers as Millwall host West Ham in London derby
On a crisp Saturday morning in east London, riot‑gear clad officers line the streets surrounding the Den, their numbers swelling to four hundred as the city braces for the first Millwall‑West Ham meeting in fourteen years.
The Metropolitan Police have earmarked a huge‑scale operation, deploying 400 officers in riot gear but without shields. This represents roughly four times the usual police presence at Championship fixtures, where typically between 60 and 150 officers are on duty.
Special powers and dispersal zone
Officers have been granted a Section 35 dispersal order, allowing them to remove anyone deemed to be causing disorder. The dispersal zone stretches from Tower Bridge in the west to beyond Greenwich Park in the east – a span of nearly five miles hugging the River Thames and reaching down to Ladywell station.
The Met Police statement 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.” It also reminded that the Sporting Events Act 1985 prohibits entering a ground while intoxicated.
Travel guidance and league stakes
West Ham supporters have been instructed to use South Bermondsey station, the designated arrival point for away fans. The club wrote: “Away supporters travelling to The Den should use South Bermondsey station, which is the designated station for visiting supporters on matchday.”
South Bermondsey is served by regular trains from London Bridge, a journey of only a few minutes. Fans from other parts of London or further afield can connect via London Bridge before taking a train to South Bermondsey, where a walkway leads directly to the away turnstiles.
Police have warned that supporters using any other local stations will be turned away and redirected to South Bermondsey. They urge fans to follow the instructions of officers and stewards when arriving at the station and making their way towards the stadium.
Historically, fan unrest has marred meetings between the clubs – a 2009 Carling Cup tie saw a man stabbed, and the February 2012 Championship clash featured pitch invasions before West Ham secured a 2‑1 victory. This time, West Ham enter the game top of the Championship on goal difference, while Millwall sit in 11th after a sluggish start to the season.