Sunderland vs Newcastle braced for ‘ring of steel’ in one of biggest police operations ever

Northumbria Police have launched one of the “largest police operations ever conducted” in the region as 6,000 Newcastle United supporters prepare to descend on Sunderland’s Stadium of Light this weekend.

The risk of crowd trouble is so great that officers have been drafted in from other neighbouring police forces to help control the crowds, with a steel fence set to be erected around the Newcastle fans as they disembark from 120 coaches that will take them on the 13 mile journey from St James’ Park.

Northumbria Police have refused to reveal how many officers will be at the sold out game for “operational reasons” but confirmed it was one of the largest operations the force has conducted, which include the notorious miners’ strikes of the 1980s.

The coaches will start leaving Newcastle as early as 8am on Saturday, with fans arriving several hours before kick off, where they will be escorted straight to the stadium. Match tickets will only be distributed when fans get off the coaches with travel to the stadium via car or public transport effectively banned. Newcastle are covering the cost of the coaches at around £150,000, which was one of the conditions of them being allowed 6,000 tickets.

There will also be a large police presence in Newcastle city centre and bars and pubs have been ordered not to serve any alcohol until 11am. The police are also set to take measures to stop the coaches being ambushed with missiles on their way down the A19, as well as on the roads leading up to the stadium.

But it is in and around the stadium that will cause the most concern for the police who will be deployed in significant numbers to try and make sure the rival fans do not come into contact with each other. If they do get close, there are fears of violence given the combustible relationship between the two fanbases. In 2013, 29 people were arrested following ugly scenes after Newcastle’s 3-0 defeat to Sunderland in the Premier League. One Newcastle fan was seen to punch a police horse in the chaos.

The FA Cup requires clubs to offer as much as 15 per cent of their tickets to away fans and Newcastle’s allocation is far larger than the police would normally have to contend with for this fixture.

Newcastle’s travelling contingent will take up the entire lower section of the North Stand with Sunderland season ticket holders in that area of the ground being relocated.

That had already angered home fans, whose mood was darkened further when pictures emerged of a bar being decorated in Newcastle colours inside the Stadium of Light for the 700 away fans who have paid £600 for a hospitality ticket.

That led to a grovelling apology from Sunderland, as well as a direct one from owner Kyril Louis Dreyfus via Instagram, where he appeared to deny any knowledge of the hospitality bar controversy.

In a statement, Chief Supt Neil Hutchison warned: “We want to make it clear to anyone who is intent on using the game as an excuse to cause trouble that this will not be tolerated. Anyone found responsible will subsequently face tough action, including criminal prosecution and being handed a football banning order.

“As well as the increased police presence at the ground, we will also have additional officers in both city centres. Any disorder will be clamped down upon and those involved can expect to be arrested. Ultimately, we want to ensure all supporters can have a safe and enjoyable time – and everyone can play their part in achieving that result.”