EURO 24 RAIDS

Police in Germany crack down on gangs ahead of tournament

- ANDY LINES

MORE than 650 German police officers have taken part in dozens of raids on clubs and pubs in Euro 2024 host cities.

Police chiefs announced a major clampdown on illegal gang activity as tens of thousands of Scotland and England fans prepare to head to Germany for the tournament.

Officials said they wanted to smash gangs dealing in drugs, prostitution, fraud, extortion and robbery.

And they revealed the raids were specifically carried out now ahead of the opening match between Germany and Scotland on June 14 in Munich.

Two of the cities targeted in the raids will host England games - Gelsenkirchen for the opener against Serbia on June 16 and Cologne, where they face Slovenia on June 25.