Extra police will patrol Gatwick airport to stop football hooligans travelling to Euro 2004 in Portugal, the Government has announced.

Destinations across mainland Europe will be monitored too amid fears hooligans may travel to countries other than Portugal first.

Security will also be increased at sea ports.

Chief Inspector John Dunkling, based at Gatwick, said: "If you're a football hooligan and attempting to fly to Portugal for Euro 2004, don't bother.

"Staff, visitors and passengers are likely to see additional resources and activity within the terminals over the Euro 2004 period.

"A great deal of work has gone on nationally to build up an extensive database of known football hooligans.

"Gatwick officers will be looking for those people and anyone else who attempts to take on that role.

"England will have more supporters at this tournament than any other nation apart from the hosts, Portugal.

"The overwhelming majority of these England fans are law-abiding and peaceful. A very small minority are not.

"The aim of the national operation is to make Euro 2004 a safe and trouble-free tournament.

"Police forces across the country are working with their partners, both here and abroad, to achieve that."

Ministers agreed the action plan as they announced that a record number of troublemakers would be banned from travelling to the European Championships.

The Home Office said 2,188 people were barred from attending international matches, compared with about 100 for Euro 2000.

Home Office minister Caroline Flint also warned that other fans considered by police to pose a risk of violence at the tournament could be prevented from leaving the UK or entering Portugal.

She said: "More than 2,000 known troublemakers have already been banned from travelling to Portugal and others known to pose a risk will be intercepted and prevented from travelling.

"There will be an extensive police operation at ports and airports prior to the tournament to identify any potential troublemakers.

"The Portuguese have made clear that anyone else who is known to pose a risk to public order will be denied entry."

The crackdown follows meetings between the Government, the Portuguese authorities, the Association of Chief Police Officers, the National Criminal Intelligence Service and the Football Association.

Ms Flint said: "Everyone involved in Euro 2004 wants it to be a genuine festival of football.

"We are determined not to let a thuggish minority ruin the tournament for genuine supporters."

Convicted hooligans will have to surrender their passports to the authorities five days before the tournament starts on June 12, retrieving them on the day of the final.

They must also report to police stations on the days of England matches.

Breaking the football banning order is punishable with six months in jail or a £5,000 fine.