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german police have unveiled their latest security tool for next year's soccer world cup - £55,000 worth of armoured robot.
but fan groups in englandbranded the move as “over the top,” saying our supporters were just out to enjoy themselves at next summer’s spectacular tournament.
incredibly, the plan comes just days after england manager sven goran eriksson had pleaded with england fans: don’t mention the war.
the swede said: “i’d urge fans to stop chanting the song about ‘ten german bombers’. that is disrespectful — and it’s important we respect our german hosts.”
but critics said last night the germans were being disrespectful by rolling out panzer-style tanks to greet england fans.
england 1966 world cup hero martin peters said: “this is hard to believe. there will be enough crowd control out there without needing tanks.”
ash connor, from the football supporters federation, claimed the sight of the machines could even infuriate england fans.
he said: “to some it will seem like hypocrisy. it’s wrong.
“there’s nothing more likely to wind up england fans than behaviour like this. the germans have scored a huge own goal.”
the tech-laden tanks are equipped with cctv periscopes and thermal imaging cameras to scan crowds for troublemakers — transmitting the pictures to their commanders in control rooms.
the 4ft-high, 8½ stone battery-powered robo-tanks — which are painted in military camouflage colours — can even climb steps with their caterpillar treads.
they will also be stationed at turnstiles — where extra sensors can detect dangerous chemicals, explosives and even radioactive materials that might be smuggled into grounds by yobs or terrorists.
and if a lout attacks one or tries to pick up one, an alarm is triggered at the tank’s hq and a squad of police can storm in.
berlin’s olympic stadium has already signed up for the tanks and frankfurt — where england are due to kick-off against paraguay on june 10 — is in advanced talks for the technology.
the rest of the tournament venues are also looking at getting the hi-tech thug-busters to help keep the peace during matches.
once the games kick off, the surveillance robots will then begin to patrol the aisles on a programmed route to watch supporters.
but fans are already calling the robots “rommel raiders” after the wwii panzer commander, who went up against england’s field marshal montgomery in north africa.
the ofro super snoopers — which have a top speed of 4½mph — are made by the german firm robowatch technologies.
spokesman benjamin stengl said: “the design — which is like a tank — is for practical reasons. if any fans get out of order, then our robots will be first on the scene.”
the sun
