Metropolitan police presence inside London Stadium

Metropolitan Police Officers will be stationed between West Ham and Stoke fans inside the London Stadium for the first time this weekend, as authorities work to avoid further outbreaks of violence, Sky Sport News HQ understands.

Posted Friday, November 04, 2016 by Skysports.com

To date, officers have been based outside the former Olympic Stadium, entering only when violence has broken out.

However on Saturday, it is believed that lines of officers will supplement stewards for the first time, keeping Stoke's 2,900 visiting fans segregated from the home fans on either side.

And, in a new development, on Thursday around 150 West Ham season ticket holders have been relocated within the London Stadium as part of the club's new segregation policies.

Last week's violent scenes during the EFL Cup match against Chelsea prompted West Ham to bring in a series of measures, including an increase in the size of the segregation areas, keeping rival fans apart.

Yesterday Sky Sports News HQ reported that Stoke City were trying to contact 85 of the 2,900 fans heading for East London, after West Ham informed them they were re-issuing tickets to allow the segregation areas to grow.

This week, West Ham have been forced into a similar move, with around 150 season ticket holders seated in Block 114 being removed from their chosen season-ticketed seats.