POLICE in London have been given extra powers to disperse groups of people in the city ahead of the Scotland-England game this evening.
A dispersal order has been issued for central London ahead of the Euro 2020 match at Wembley Stadium, giving Met Police extra powers to break up groups of two or more people.
Scotland fans have been travelling to the city over the last couple of days ahead of the match against the Auld Enemy, but the lack of a fan area for them means they have been gathering in areas like Leicester Square and Hyde Park.
There is a fan zone in the city's Trafalgar Square, but it is reserved for key workers.
Met Police said the dispersal order would "prevent the public being caused alarm, harassment and distress" and stop criminality in the local area. It gives them extra powers to split up groups where police believe their behaviours are causing a nuisance, harassment or distress.
The order runs until 3pm tomorrow.
Scotland take on England for the first time in a major tournament since Euro 96. The match kicks off at Wembley at 8pm tonight.
READ MORE: First Minister takes dig at England's weather ahead of Scotland match
It is expected that wet weather will deter some fans from gathering outside, but Scotland's First Minister has taken a sly dig at the forecast.
Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: "Even the weather in London is Scottish today.
"Wishing the very best of luck to Steve and all of@ScotlandNT - here’s hoping we can raise the [Saltire] over Wembley tonight."
Even the weather in London is Scottish today 😉
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) June 18, 2021
Wishing the very best of luck to Steve and all of @ScotlandNT - here’s hoping we can raise the 🏴 over Wembley tonight. #ENGSCO #SCO pic.twitter.com/ybKY75yxx6
Earlier today Sturgeon issued a warning to the Tartan Army travelling to London, saying that Covid will not give them a "free pass".
Her message was simple: "The virus doesn’t care about football, it is not going to give you a free pass because you are there celebrating a football match."
Earlier this week London Mayor Sadiq Khan urged fans not to travel to the capital if they do not have a safe place to watch the game.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon issues warning to Tartan Army ahead of England match
Speaking during a coronavirus briefing, Sturgeon added: “I don’t want to sound like the killjoy in all of this, I am looking forward to watching the match tonight just like everybody else is.
“Please be careful though. And if you have travelled to London I would say two things. Be respectful to our hosts in London, don’t behave in a way that is going to make their Covid problem worse over the next few weeks.
“And try not to behave in a way that might raise the risk of you bringing the virus back home to your own loved ones.
“Enjoy the match, enjoy the occasion, we’re all hoping for a good outcome to the match tonight, but please be careful and be safe and follow all the rules.
“Make sure you behave in a way that shows the Tartan Army at its best. Enjoy it, but please, please, please try to behave in a way that is a safe as possible.”
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