Euro 2012: West Midlands hooligans told give up passports

Football hooligans from the West Midlands have been told to surrender their passports ahead of the European Championships in Poland and Ukraine.

Police have sent letters to about 250 people who are subject to football banning orders to deter them from going to Euro 2012, which begins next month.

Passports need to be handed in at one of 10 police stations across the region by 22 May.

Those who fail to comply could be jailed or fined.

England travel to Norway for a friendly match on Saturday 26 May in the build up to playing at least three matches at the tournament in Ukraine.

'Minority tempted'

Sgt Donna Jones, of West Midlands Police's football unit, said some people with the orders, that can run from between three and 10 years, had "already made arrangements to hand over their passports".

"Although most understand and recognise the travel restriction a minority may still be tempted to defy the ban and try to make their way to Ukraine," she said.

"We will actively pursue anyone who fails to hand over their passport and they will be placed before the courts and could be imprisoned or fined.

"We work closely with officers from the UK Football Policing Unit and details of those subject to banning orders have been shared with ports authorities.

"We're confident no-one will slip through the net."

Officers will be based at Birmingham airport throughout June and passports will be made available again from Monday 2 July.