Police issue warning over any trouble at upcoming Tyne-Wear Derby

Police have issued a warning that any trouble at this weekend’s Tyne-Wear derby “will not be tolerated”, in a plea for calm ahead of the upcoming game at the Stadium of Light.

Newcastle United and Sunderland will meet for the first time since 2016 in Saturday lunchtime’s third round cup fixture at the Stadium of Light.

FA Cup rules seen Newcastle given an allocation of 6000, a move which drawn severe criticism from SAFC fans. However, away supporters must travel on designated return bus services from St James’ Park to get to the match.

As final preparations are made for the first derby match in almost eight years and for the new challenge of such a large visiting crowd, the force said on Wednesday morning that it wanted fans to “work with us” to make sure the televised fixture goes ahead without incident – and warned that “tough action”, including football banning orders, would be taken against troublemakers.

Cordons to separate the two sets of fans and a “much larger” police presence than usual are to be prepared at the Stadium of Light, as well as extra officers stationed in Sunderland and Newcastle city centres.

Chief Supt Neil Hutchison said: “There is understandably widespread excitement for the upcoming FA Cup game between Sunderland and Newcastle at the Stadium of Light on Saturday. Football fans in the North East are well known for being amongst the most passionate in the country and this fixture is much-anticipated by supporters of both clubs.

“Our role, and that of our wider partners – including the clubs, transport providers and local authorities – is to help ensure those attending the game can do so safely and that disruption for other members of the public is kept to a minimum. Ever since the fixture was announced, extensive discussions have been held with all parties and a lot of work has been ongoing to facilitate the safe delivery of such a large-scale event.

“As a result, all partners involved agreed to a number of conditions. This includes, in order to facilitate a 6,000 away allocation, Newcastle supporters travelling to and from the stadium on designated coaches. Without doing so, the public transport system would not be able to accommodate such a large number of supporters safely.

“On the day, there will be a much larger police presence around the ground than usual and to further help accommodate the safe arrival and departure of both sets of fans police cordons will be in place. We would therefore ask all fans to work with us to help ensure the match goes ahead without incident.”

Nexus has confirmed that it will not be running any special direct Metro services for football fans on the day of the derby, as has been the case for previous matches.

Chief Supt Hutchison added: “We know the overwhelming majority of supporters will follow the advice being shared by ourselves and their respective clubs and will be going to the match to enjoy the occasion. However, 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.