A senior police chief has spoken of his relief that Croatia doesn’t make cars that could be targeted by football hooligans if the country knocks England out of the World Cup.

Deputy Chief Constable Mark Roberts, the national lead on policing football, said German cars, including Volkswagens and Mercedes, were trashed by England fans after the team lost its Euro 96 semi-final on a penalty shoot out to Germany.

Mr Roberts told the Telegraph that he was more concerned with the behaviour of fans back in the UK than the 10,000 expected to flood into Moscow for today’s semi-final with Croatia.

Supporters caused trouble in the wake of the win against Sweden, jumping on an ambulance in London and taking it out of action. There were numerous incidents up and down the country and even fighting among supporters in Spain.

Mr Roberts is concerned that should England lose, hooliganism could spiral.