Met Police Issue Statement Ahead of Millwall vs West Ham as Security Plans Confirmed
The Metropolitan Police have issued a statement ahead of Saturday’s highly anticipated Championship meeting between Millwall and West Ham United at The Den.
The fixture is one of the most eagerly awaited matches of the 2026/27 Championship season, with the two London rivals preparing to meet for the first time since 2012.
West Ham’s relegation from the Premier League has brought the long-standing rivalry back onto the football calendar, while Millwall will be hoping to make the most of home advantage in front of their supporters.
Given the history surrounding the fixture, however, the Metropolitan Police have confirmed a series of measures designed to deal with potential disorder around the stadium and surrounding areas.
MET POLICE ISSUE STATEMENT
Ahead of the match, the Metropolitan Police used social media to remind supporters about the rules surrounding football fixtures.
The force highlighted the Sporting Events Act 1985, which prohibits supporters from entering or attempting to enter a football ground while intoxicated.
The statement also confirmed that a Section 35 dispersal order would be in place.
This gives officers powers to remove individuals who are causing disorder from the area.
The Metropolitan Police said:
“As with any fixture, the Sporting Events Act 1985 is in place, which means entering or attempting to enter a ground while intoxicated is strictly prohibited.”
The force added:
“A Section 35 dispersal order will also be in place, allowing officers to remove anyone causing disorder.”
The measures underline the level of planning that has gone into Saturday’s fixture.
AROUND 400 OFFICERS EXPECTED
According to The Athletic, around 400 police officers are expected to be deployed in and around The Den for the match.
That is reportedly around four times the usual number of officers used for a fixture at a stadium of this size.
The Den has a capacity of approximately 20,000, and the increased police presence reflects the authorities’ preparations for what is expected to be a busy afternoon in south-east London.
The police operation will reportedly involve more than officers on foot.
The force has said that its mounted branch and police dog unit will also be involved.
Live facial recognition technology is also expected to be deployed as part of the operation.
The Metropolitan Police said a significant number of officers would be working in the surrounding area alongside the specialist units.
FIRST MEETING SINCE 2012
The significance of the fixture goes beyond the Championship table.
Millwall and West Ham have not met competitively since 2012, meaning Saturday’s match will mark the first meeting between the clubs in 14 years.
West Ham have spent most of that period competing in the Premier League, while Millwall have remained in the EFL.
West Ham’s relegation has therefore brought one of English football’s most recognisable London rivalries back into focus.
Supporters from both clubs have been looking forward to the fixture since the Championship schedule was released.
For Millwall, the opportunity to welcome West Ham to The Den provides the chance to create a memorable home occasion.
For West Ham, meanwhile, the match represents one of the most significant fixtures of their first season back in the second tier.
THE HISTORY OF THE DOCKERS’ DERBY
The rivalry between the clubs dates back to the late 19th century.
Both sides emerged from London’s docklands, with West Ham originally linked to the Thames Ironworks company and Millwall established by workers connected to J.T. Morton’s factory.
Their geographical proximity and competition between workers in the docklands helped establish the foundations of the rivalry.
Over time, the fixture became known as the Dockers’ Derby.
The rivalry developed across generations and became one of the most fiercely contested fixtures in English football.
That history has contributed to the heightened attention surrounding Saturday’s meeting.
A HISTORY OF FAN TROUBLE
The police operation also reflects the history of disorder associated with previous meetings between the clubs.
There have been serious incidents involving supporters over the decades, including fatal incidents connected to football-related violence.
Those events remain part of the broader history of the rivalry and help explain why authorities are taking precautions ahead of the latest meeting.
However, the focus for the Metropolitan Police will be on ensuring supporters can attend the match safely while preventing disorder from developing.
The increased presence around The Den is therefore intended to provide additional policing capacity should it be required.
JACK COOPER EXPECTS A SPECIAL ATMOSPHERE
Millwall captain Jack Cooper has spoken about the anticipation surrounding the fixture.
With West Ham’s relegation confirmed last season, supporters were immediately aware that the 2026/27 Championship campaign would bring the rivalry back.
Cooper said that getting West Ham at The Den first was particularly significant.
He also suggested the atmosphere could feel considerably bigger than the stadium’s official capacity.
The Millwall captain expects the home support to play an important role, with the atmosphere potentially making the stadium feel as though there are far more than 20,000 people inside.
That anticipation demonstrates just how much the fixture means to supporters.
WEST HAM’S CHALLENGE
West Ham will arrive at The Den hoping to continue their positive start to life in the Championship.
The club’s relegation ended a 14-year spell in the Premier League, but the immediate objective will be to adapt quickly to the demands of the second tier.
Matches against Millwall will carry additional importance because of the rivalry, but West Ham will also be conscious that three points could prove valuable as they look to establish themselves near the top end of the division.
The atmosphere will be significantly different from many of the Premier League grounds they have visited in recent years.
The Den is renowned for its close surroundings and intense matchday environment, making Saturday’s fixture a major test.
MILLWALL LOOK TO MAKE HOME ADVANTAGE COUNT
Millwall, meanwhile, will be hoping to use their home support to unsettle their visitors.
The return of the derby gives the Lions an opportunity to make an early statement in front of their own supporters.
Cooper’s comments suggest the Millwall squad is well aware of how important the occasion is to the fanbase.
The players will have to ensure the emotion of the fixture does not affect their concentration.
While the rivalry will dominate much of the build-up, the result will ultimately be decided on the pitch.
POLICE PREPARATIONS TAKE CENTRE STAGE
The Metropolitan Police’s statement has added another significant talking point to the build-up.
The deployment of hundreds of officers, alongside mounted officers, police dogs and live facial recognition technology, demonstrates the scale of the preparations.
The authorities will be hoping the measures allow supporters to enjoy the occasion without serious incidents.
For fans attending, the message from the police is clear: supporters are expected to behave responsibly and follow the rules surrounding entry to the stadium and conduct in the area.
A MAJOR DAY FOR LONDON FOOTBALL
The return of Millwall versus West Ham is significant for London football.
Two clubs with a shared geographical history and decades of rivalry will finally meet again in a competitive fixture.
The Den will provide the backdrop, with supporters from both sides anticipating an atmosphere unlike most Championship matches.
The authorities are preparing accordingly.
West Ham want a result.
Millwall want to make home advantage count.
And the Metropolitan Police want to ensure the long-awaited return of the Dockers’ Derby passes without serious disorder.
FINAL THOUGHT
Saturday’s meeting between Millwall and West Ham has been years in the making.
The clubs have not faced each other since 2012, but the rivalry has remained a major part of London’s football landscape.
Now that West Ham have returned to the Championship, the fixture is back on the calendar.
The Metropolitan Police have responded with a significant operation around The Den, including a reported deployment of around 400 officers, specialist units and live facial recognition.
For supporters, the message is straightforward: enjoy the occasion, but do so responsibly.
With two historic rivals meeting again after 14 years, all eyes will be on The Den when the teams finally take to the pitch.