POLICE in the region are gearing up to stop hundreds of football hooligans from travelling to this summer’s World Cup in South Africa.

More than 300 people from the North-East and North Yorkshire are banned from travelling abroad to watch games.

Further banning orders are expected to be issued in the run-up to the month-long tournament, which will start on June 11.

Anyone with a banning orders that is due to run out before June will be assessed by police to determine if they still pose a risk.

Even if the risk is judged to be low enough for their banning order to be lifted, the supporter’s behaviour will still be monitored.

Police will monitor people leaving from Newcastle and Durham Tees Valley airports.

Anyone who is the subject of a banning order on June 1 must surrender their passport for the duration of the World Cup.

Football banning orders range from three to ten years.

They can be issued to people who are convicted of a relevant football-related offence, or who persistently engage in violence and disorder at football matches.

North Yorkshire Police said it was working closely with the UK Football Policing Unit ahead of the competition.

A spokesman said: “Violent and rowdy behaviour will not be tolerated, and those who do not comply with their orders can expect to face the full force of the law.”

The Home Offices has handed police forces in England and Wales £1m to stop troublemakers getting to South Africa.

Martin Gooday, from the Home Office public order unit, said: “Intelligence-led police ports operations will monitor travelling fans and intercept those assessed to pose a risk.”

Nationally, 3,163 football banning orders have been issued.