Robocops ready for England fans

English football fans heading to Euro 2004 were warned today they face a force of hi-tech "robocops".

Portuguese police have spent £8 million on an armoury to crush hooliganism at the tournament and will have on standby a rapid-reaction force of specially trained riot officers. The list of how the money has been spent shows the scale of preparations for the arrival of

1.2 million fans on 12 June. It includes 17,640 pepper sprays, 1,465 riot truncheons and 40 stun-grenade launchers.

Officers have been issued with latest-generation technology including 45 frequency jammers capable of disabling mobile phones to prevent gang leaders organising fights.

The rapid-reaction force will be on hand to back up "softly, softly" officers should trouble break out. Four high-powered water cannon mounted on riot vans will be supported by hundreds of National Guards on horseback and a permanent reserve of 4,000 police on foot.

General Leonel Carvalho, in charge of policing the event, warned: "I would like everything to go without any trouble but that is not going to happen. Portugal is now better protected - these are powerful tools of persuasion. We won't stand for any trouble."

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