Ministers vow they will remain ‘vigilant’ over threat of far-right thugs amid fears of fresh riots as football season begins tonight

Ministers today vowed they would remain ‘vigilant’ over the threat of far-right riots amid fears further chaos could break out as the football season begins tonight.

Clubs in the English Football League will start their new campaigns this weekend and supporters have been warned against ‘violent, thuggish behaviour’.

Police are poised to step up patrols at lower league matches across the country in anticipation of any further mayhem.

Officers are also reportedly examining links between far-right extremists and football hooligans following the recent carnage in towns and cities.

But police chiefs have expressed hope that the ‘community spirit’ at matches could act as a ‘big counterbalance’ to any possible disorder.

Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds this morning warned football fans they would face swift action if they engaged in any disorder in the coming days.

Asked about fears far-right groups could seek to exploit fixtures this weekend, the Paymaster General told Sky News: ‘You always are vigilant about far-right activity and that is what the Government will continue to be.

‘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.’

According to The Times, police believe there is ‘crossover’ between far-right extremists and football hooligans and are probing links.

The newspaper reported that police are in contact with the English Football League, stadium security and steward managers about tactics to prevent disorder.

Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, chairman of the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), suggested there would be more police on patrol at matches this weekend.

He told a media brefing yesterday that football authorities had been working with police as assessments were being refreshed on a ‘fixture-by-fixture level’.

‘In reality, what will probably happen to do with some of those football fixtures is the resources will be drawn down the tiers, in order that bolster extra support,’ he said.

Mr Stephens added he felt the ‘community spirit’ at football matches could act as a ‘big counterbalance’ to any possible disorder.