Wear-Tyne Derby: Extra Officers On Patrol

26 October 2013, 07:55 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

Extra officers will be on patrol in the bars and pubs across the North East before, during and after the derby match on Sunday.

They will be carrying out extra patrols in and around pubs, bars and town centres ensuring that people are not causing trouble.

Fans are being urged to drink responsibly on the day as officers will not tolerate drunk supporters causing trouble for the majority of well behaved fans.

In Sunderland, officers will be in the city centre and the area around the Stadium of Light from early on Sunday morning - speaking with local residents and businesses and supporting licensees and pub staff.

Sunderland Chief Inspector Peter Storey said:
"We want football fans and residents to be able to enjoy the occasion and won't allow a small minority who drink to excess and cause trouble to spoil it for the majority of real supporters.

The city centre will be busy, as will the public transport and road networks around the city - so people not going to the match need to bear this in mind."

In Newcastle, officers will be at Central Station from early helping travelling fans get onto trains, Metros and coaches and will be carrying out patrols of bars and pubs in the city centre.

Newcastle Chief Inspector Bruce Storey said:
"There will be a significant visible policing presence in the City Centre on Sunday morning to ensure the travelling supporters get to Sunderland safe and cause minimal disruption to the public.

We want people to enjoy the occasion responsibly and the majority of fans do.

In the past we've seen a higher number of incidents in our town centres on derby days and in response we have extra officers in key areas to stop trouble from happening."

After full time extra patrols will continue in Sunderland and Newcastle into the evening.