Football fans who “engage in violent, thuggish behaviour” face being dealt with quickly after days of violent disorder across the UK, a Cabinet Office minister said.
Police are examining links between far-right thugs and football hooligans ahead of the new season this weekend.
Officers believe there is a “crossover” between the groups, The Times reports.
Asked about fears “far-right groups could seek to exploit” fixtures after kick-off on Friday, Nick Thomas-Symonds told Sky News: “You always are vigilant about far-right activity and that is what the Government will continue to be.
“As I say, going into this weekend, it’s important that the message continues to go out that if you engage in violent, thuggish behaviour on our streets, you’re going to be dealt with quickly by the criminal justice system.
“We’ve already seen sentences of up to three years handed down, people now facing the inside of a prison cell because of the appalling way in which they’ve conducted themselves in recent days.
“But also we’ll continue to make those additional officers available and where there are communities with particular fears – I was in Bristol for example yesterday talking to Muslim community leaders – we will make sure that we make protection available to those communities as well. It’s hugely important.”
It comes after Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley revealed officers investigating violent disorder at recent London rallies found around 70 per cent of suspects have previous convictions for weapon possession, violence, drugs and other serious offences. Some had football banning orders.
Nationally, police are in contact with the English Football League, stadium security and steward managers about tactics to prevent further thuggery.
The new EFL season begins on Friday with fixtures in Blackburn, Preston, Barnsley and Chesterfield, while Manchester United face Manchester City at Wembley on Saturday in the Community Shield.
Although there is no intelligence to suggest violence is likely, the National Police Co-ordination Centre is providing extra support to clubs in a week riots swept the UK after the fatal stabbings of three young girls in Southport, Merseyside.
Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, chairman of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, said he was confident football clubs would take a stance against hate, violence and racism.
Around 6,000 officers remain on standby and will be deployed if the intelligence picture changes.
Mr Stephens added “community spirit” at football matches could act as a “big counterbalance” to disorder, but promised “extra support”.
He implored parents to have conversations with their children and warned young people: “Don’t get involved - it could change the prospects for the rest of your life.”
Seventeen people aged 17 or under have so far been charged with offences relating to the disorder, including three younger than 16.
A 15-year-old boy pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Liverpool city centre on Tuesday after he was identified from a TikTok video.
