Kent's football hooligans are being ordered to surrender their passports ahead of Euro 2012.

Twenty-eight people subject to a Football Banning Order must hand them in within two days - or face arrest and prosecution.

It is in preparation for the UEFA Euro 2012 tournament, hosted jointly in Poland and the Ukraine, which starts on June 8.

Those with banning orders have two days to submit their passports as part of a nationwide operation to reduce trouble during the tournament.

Among those in Kent with FBOs is Gary Rimmer, of Pheasant Road, Chatham.

He became the first person in the county to receive an FBO since Kent Police established a specialist unit to tackle football-related crime.

The 35-year-old Gillingham fan was banned in February from attending any football match in Kent, the rest of the country and overseas for the next three years.

He also received an 18-month community order and an 18-month supervision order after being found guilty at Medway Magistrates' Court of assaulting two stewards at Priestfield Stadium in October 2011.

Kent Police said FBOs are a preventative measure designed to stop potential troublemakers from travelling to and attending football matches, both at home and abroad.

The unit, which comprises specially-trained officers, was formed last July after a change in the law that meant 'regulated games' included non-league football matches.

Ch Insp Bryan Whittaker, from Kent Police, said: "We have developed a strong record of effective policing of football matches and that includes using Football Banning Orders where necessary.

"They are a significant tool for police and the courts in preventing or reducing football-related violence and disorder.

"Banning orders work. About 92% of people whose orders have expired since 2000 are assessed by police as no longer posing a risk of football disorder. And the rate of passport surrender is even higher. During the World Cup 2010, 98% of people with FBOs complied.

"Most football fans are good natured and genuinely want to support their team. They should be able to do that without being subjected to offensive and criminal behaviour."

The breakdown of Football Banning Orders

North Kent = 7
Medway = 5
Maidstone = 5
Ashford = 4
Canterbury = 2
Folkestone = 2
Margate = 2
Tonbridge = 1