The Metropolitan Police confirmed that six people were arrested in connection with the first Millwall vs West Ham match in 14 years, which took place on Saturday, 19 September 2026. The arrests were made by 16:00hrs on the day of the game.
Police confirm six arrests at The Den
The offences included tailgating, assault on a police officer, and entering or attempting to enter a stadium while intoxicated. All six individuals remained in custody at the time of the police statement. The Metropolitan Police announced the arrests in a post on X, thanking officers on the ground as well as partners at Millwall FC and West Ham for their work.
In their statement, police wrote: "Thank you to our officers on the ground, as well as partners at @MillwallFC and @WestHam, who worked to ensure the Dockers Derby took place without significant disruption across south east London – allowing attending fans to enjoy the match safely."
Dispersal order and security measures
Prior to the match, police had implemented a Section 35 dispersal order covering a significant part of South East London, stretching from Tower Bridge to Blackheath. The measure was introduced due to the notorious history of fan trouble and violence associated with the fixture between the two heated rivals.
A significant police presence was noticeable at The Den, where the game was held. Despite the historical tensions, police reported that the match went ahead without significant disruption.
Match ends 2-2 in 100th meeting
The game itself ended 2-2 after a dramatic turnaround. Millwall took a 2-0 lead into half-time with goals from Caleb Taylor and Camiel Neghli. However, West Ham fought back in the second half with goals from Mohamadou Kante and Konstantinos Mavropanos.
The match was the 100th meeting between the two teams. It featured big tackles, a red card, and controversial incidents, making it one of the most eventful games of the season so far. The excitement among fans was matched by the intensity on the pitch, as both sides pushed for victory in a fiercely contested derby.
