Germans instruct World Cup police

Uniformed officers will patrol ports in the UK and Germany

German police are training 46 UK officers about what they can expect when they patrol German railways and streets in uniform at the World Cup.

The week-long course at Hendon in north London encompasses German law, customs, police practices and football culture.

The UK officers will try to mediate between England fans and the German authorities and have powers of arrest.

They form part of a uniformed contingent of 280 officers from across Europe hoping to prevent violence.

All the UK officers will be working alongside German colleagues and most will be at airports and railway stations, although some will patrol the centre of cities where England are playing.

One of the German instructors, Sergeant Thomas Kremer, works for the railway police in Frankfurt, where 40,000 England fans are expected.

WORLD CUP POLICING 46 uniformed officers from UK 14 plainclothes 'spotters' 6 intelligence officers 8 officers in transit countries 250 uniformed officers in total from across EU

He said the uniformed British officers would provide a reassuring presence. "We trained them in German laws and their daily duties, especially railway policing.

"We introduced them to our fan culture and their behaviour, and where there could be trouble because of the rivalry between England and Germany fans.

"Policing in Germany is not much different so I see no problems in them carrying out their daily duties."

A document of entrustment has been signed by the German chief of police, which gives the British the same powers as their German counterparts.

If we see England fans being fans, singing songs and making noise, some cultures might see that as threatening but we know it's normal Supt Roger Evans

The powers of arrest could theoretically be used against people of any nationality but would only be used in extreme circumstances and if no German officer was available.

Superintendent Roger Evans, who is in charge of the British uniformed officers, said fans could expect to see them and their German colleagues at airports and ports as they leave the UK, and when they arrive at the other end.

"This is a subliminal message that it's a joined-up operation but also a reassurance for the vast majority of fans who just want to have a good time, and will see the British police as a familiar face," he said.

"They will also act as an interface between German authorities and England fans. If we see England fans being fans, singing songs and making noise, some cultures might see that as threatening but we know it's normal."

German police are holding five days of lectures

They could also stop known hooligans as they try and enter Germany, although undercover spotters from the UK will also be doing that job.

German police have promised to adopt a softly-softly approach to fans, keen to help them with travel guidance and give a friendly welcome.

England fans have behaved well at the last two major tournaments and fans' organisations have welcomed the addition of uniformed officers for this tournament.

More than 3,000 English hooligans were required to hand over their passports to police before Tuesday's deadline to prevent them travelling to the tournament.