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Euro 2008
EuroCOP supports police officers during football games
As the Euro 2008 Championship in football approaches, so does the need for increased security during the games. Hosted by Austria and Switzerland jointly, the two countries have asked for police support from the rest of Europe. EuroCOP will repeat the success story from the World Cup in 2006 and sponsor police trade union support for the police officers on location.
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Harald Schneider, President Bavaria, GdP who was personally in Austria to inspect the premises where the 750 Bavarian police officers will be deployed said there were several reasons why the Austrians asked the German government for help.
"We have experience already from the World Championships in 2006 how to handle these kind of situations. Adding to that, many German fans and among them hooligans are expected to come and watch games in Austria and Switzerland. Then it can be useful for the German police to be there."
The German police will have the same authority as their Swiss and Austrian colleagues. To prepare for the event a joint training camp will take place.
"There was a big interest for this action, many police officers send in their applications and I believe they are looking forward to it," Schneider added. |
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| Innsbruck. Austrian and German colleagues work together during Euro 2008. Also pictured GdP personnel on location to assist its members. |
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| Night time action. Bavarian riot police planning its strategies. |
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Support in Switzerland as well
German and French police will also be assisting the Swiss police at the venues in Basel, Zurich, Bern and Geneva. "Next to the general public order during matches, it will be necessary to assure public order at the different public viewing locations, " Olivier Prevesto, Vice President of VSPB Switzerland said. Around 70,000 people are expected to come to such venues.
"Along with this a lot of security problems arises, such as the presence of criminals that are attracted by a big crowd."
The UEFA European football championships starts of in Basel, Switzerland on June 7th with Switzerland playing against the Czech Republic and ending with the final being played in Vienna on June 29th.
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