Trouble makers could lose passports

Hooligans who cause trouble during matches in England or Wales risk losing their passports and being banned from every ground under a new plan outlined yesterday by police and prosecutors.

The Crown Prosecution Service and the Association of Chief Police Officers said in future trouble makers at domestic matches would be taken to court rather than being cautioned or given a fixed penalty fine.

That will allow prosecutors to apply for a Football Banning Order to prevent convicted hooligans from travelling out of the country when the England or Wales teams are playing abroad.

"We know that the vast majority of fans have a fantastic reputation both at home and abroad," said Nick Hawkins, the Chief Crown Prosecutor for Hampshire and Isle of Wight.

"We want to avoid a few trouble makers turning up to ruin both the enjoyment and reputation of law-abiding fans and making local residents' lives a misery."

The Premier League season kicks off today with security already tightened following the London bomb attacks. Clubs are introducing plans for thorough bag searches.

Figures released last October showed that hooliganism at matches across the country had dropped significantly although police warned the problem had not gone away.

Those who receive the banning orders will have passports taken off them every time England, Wales or the team they support play abroad.