Four charged over Olympic ticket touting

Four suspected ticket touts were today charged as part of a clampdown ahead of this summer's Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Plain clothes officers from the Metropolitan Police's Operation Podium arrested nine men near Wembley Stadium yesterday, before the kick-off of the FA Cup final clash between Chelsea and Liverpool.

Peter Hall, 45, of Colyers Lane, Erith, Beroni Davies, 37, of Donnington Lodge, Newbury, Berkshire, and Peter O'Brien, 28, Ettingdon Road, Liverpool, were all charged with ticket touting and were bailed to appear at Hendon Magistrates' Court on May 21.

Gerrard Connely, 27, of Normandale Road, Liverpool, was charged with the same offence bailed to appear on May 18 at the same court.

A 36-year-old man was cautioned and four were released with no further action to be taken.

Operation Podium is dedicated to serious and organised crime affecting the Olympic economy.

PA