Scotland Yard has apologised after actors from a hit film were mistakenly identified as football hooligans being sought after riots at a West Ham game.
Police issued 66 pictures of people supposedly caught on camera during violent clashes in August. The images wrongly included stills of six actors from recent film The Firm. A TV report was used to capture the images, but because there was no sound officers did not realise it included clips from the hooligan-themed film.
Scotland Yard, who released the images on Tuesday, said: "Six images of individuals who were not involved in the violence were mistakenly included. These images appear to have been taken from a motion picture. We wish to apologise unreservedly to those affected. We are going to be actively trying to contact those people to offer our apologies."
A Millwall supporter was stabbed as fans clashed outside West Ham's Upton Park ground in east London after the home side won 3-1.
Police have arrested more than 40 people so far in connection with the trouble on 25 August. The Firm, which was released last month, is set in football hooligans' 1980s heyday and is about a young man who joins a "firm" of thugs.
If it wasn't so serious a situation, it would almost be funny that the Police could make such an error.
Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!
The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!