EURO 2024: Maximum security tightening before G hour

POLICE ACROSS EUROPE JOIN THE INVESTIGATION

From hooliganism to terrorism, racism to cybercrime, the list of issues facing the host nation of EURO 2024 is long. Security forces will have to try to keep 2.7 million spectators and 24 teams safe at 10 stadiums over the course of 51 matches. There will also be around 12 million people in fan zones. "From the very beginning, we have identified security as priority 1," tournament director Philipp Lahm said.

Germany wants to ensure the highest level of safety for EURO

For the first time in history, Germany has invited more than 500 police officers from other countries to help with security at the EURO. All countries with teams participating in the finals have sent officers to the International Police Cooperation Centre (IPCC) in Neuss. IPCC director Oliver Strudthoff explained: "The police of each country are knowledgeable about the troublemakers in their country. They will be experts, helping us detect trouble sources more easily. The number of experts from each country will vary, depending on the number of fans following the team and the level of sophistication of those fans. For example, more British police will be here than Swiss police."

Each match, depending on the situation, will have between 800 and 1,300 police officers on duty at each stadium. For now, the Serbia-England match in the early morning of June 17, Vietnam time, has been identified as a high-risk match that the security department will pay special attention to. There will be about 40,000 England fans and 8,000 Serbian fans, including about 500 hooligans, coming to Gelsenkirchen.

DEALING WITH "LONE WOLVES" IS THE HARDEST

According to counter-extremism expert Hans-Jakob Schindler, one of the most difficult tasks in policing is not actually dealing with dangerous organizations that pose a major threat, but dealing with isolated incidents of violence. For example, a “lone wolf” who quietly enters a fan zone and suddenly attacks.

Security is the number 1 priority at EURO 2024

Last week, police arrested a man who was preparing to cause trouble at the EURO. He had applied for a job in a department that helps organise the EURO. German Interior Minister Nancy Fraeser described the arrest as a “great success”, showing that Germany’s entry checks are really working. Checks at the country’s borders and all points of entry into Germany have been significantly stepped up in recent days.

Countering terrorism is a perennial problem. According to security expert Johannes Saal of the University of Lucerne, major sporting events are always a special opportunity for terrorists to operate. This is a matter of concern in crowded places, such as fan zones. According to the media, the biggest threat to security at this EURO comes from hooligans and issues related to the conflict in Ukraine. The Ukrainian team has won a ticket to the EURO while the Russian team is still under embargo. Therefore, ensuring security for the Ukrainian team, from their residence to their matches, has become one of the key tasks.

Despite all the difficulties, Minister Fraeser still believes that fans from all over can relax and enjoy a fun EURO this summer. Ms. Fraeser said: "This is not a trap waiting for you to step into. This is a major event that has been carefully prepared and tightly organized. The rest is just a small problem that depends on the fans themselves. Do not come to cause violence. We recognize the existence of all risks and will do our best to deal with all risks."

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/euro-2024-siet-chat-an-ninh-toi-da-truoc-gio-g-185240614000525131.htm