West Ham beef up security at London Stadium ahead of relegation match with Southampton
Extra police and stewards to be deployed to contain potential trouble while barriers have been erected to prevent fans reaching board at the centre of their frustration
WEST HAM are rolling out improved security plans ahead of this week's crunch Premier League clash with Southampton.
The Hammers have been forced to take extra measures to prevent crowd trouble after protests boiled over in their last home match against Burnley.
Five supporters invaded the pitch while co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold were forced to flee from their seats after a mob of angry fans vented their frustrations at them.
The club escaped being forced to play their matches behind closed doors after reaching an agreement on extra measures to ensure there is no repeat of the anarchy on show earlier this month.
West Ham officials have held a series of meetings with the owners of the London Stadium, police and safety officers to discover what failings helped contribute to the problems.
The club then issued life bans to the five pitch invaders, although one still remains at large after they were forced to rescind one suspension when it emerged they had got the wrong person.
They have also been studying CCTV footage to see if any of those who it is claimed threw coins at Sullivan can be identified.
And in the meantime they have worked closely with stadium owners to ensure better stewarding is in place for the match, which promises to be tense given the fact both clubs are desperately fighting to avoid relegation.
WRONG MAN One of five West Ham pitch invaders still at large after club ban wrong fan
The Hammers are not responsible for the employment of the stewards, which is down to the London Stadium owners, and they have implored them to make sure staff on duty are able to cope.
One of the main criticisms of events in the Burnley match was the lack of reaction from stewards when supporters made their way onto the playing surface.
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There will be a police presence in the ground, with the costs understood to be met by the owners despite an offer from the club to contribute to the measures.
And crucially, boarding has been erected on the platform in front of the directors' box where Sullivan, Gold and Karren Brady sit.
All three are expected to attend the match against Southampton, which could see the club dragged into the bottom three if they slipped to defeat.
One disabled supporter has been moved from their usual vantage point because of the new boarding, which prevents fans from being able to get to the area where around 200 protested during the game last time out.
Newham Council, which issues the safety certificate allowing matches to be played, have insisted on the new measures to ensure no more trouble flares.
But if there is any repeat, they hold the power to revoke the certificate which would force the Hammers to play games behind closed doors.