Hooligan-buster praises England fans

Mr Hogg said hard-core hooligans did not reach Japan

England supporters have taken a "massive step forward", according to the top UK police officer sent to Japan to monitor their activities.

Durham Police Assistant Chief Constable Ron Hogg was sent to the Far East to help his Japanese counterparts handle any potential hooligan outbreak at the World Cup.

Speaking at a news conference in Durham on Thursday, he said: "The England supporters were very well behaved. I expected some minor disturbances, but there weren't any.

"We have made a massive step forward, and this is something we need to build upon.

England fans: on best behaviour

"It was a delight to see the way the England fans were received and the way they behaved."

Mr Hogg - head of the UK's intelligence unit for policing England fans abroad - said good intelligence and banning orders ensured hard-core hooligans did not reach Japan.

"It wasn't because Japan was expensive to reach, it was because of good police work at our end and at the entry points in Japan," he said.

He said supporters had been able to reach Japan for as little as £400, flying from Frankfurt to Tokyo, and had been able to find hotels for £40 a night.

Touts arrested

"It wasn't the cost factor that put off the hooligans...it was the police operation at airports, and co-operation between the Japanese and British police that had an effect," said Mr Hogg.

Mr Hogg praised the sensible approach of the Japanese police, who had been asked to use "discretion" when faced by boisterous England fans.

He said there were up to 8,500 fans at England's games against Argentina and Sweden, and 5,500 against Brazil.

But there were only 15 arrests, for offences relating to ticket touting.

Mr Hogg's work in Japan came after his counterparts there visited England to see how matches are policed.