Fans at Wear-Tees derby to be kept apart by barriers

Jan 22 2012 by Andrew Glover, Sunday Sun

POLICE will use metal barriers to keep rival fans apart for the first time ever at a Wear-Tees derby next weekend, the Sunday Sun can reveal.

The safety cordon will separate Sunderland and Middlesbrough supporters before and after Sunday’s FA Cup clash.

Northumbria Police have twice used the 8ft fences to quell disorder between Sunderland and Newcastle fans and have decided to erect them for Boro’s first visit to the Stadium of Light since 2008.

Police chiefs say the cordon frees up officers that would otherwise have to be deployed to keep fans apart.

Chief Supt Dave Pryer, head of Northumbria Police’s operations command, said the safety of fans was the force’s primary objective.

He said: “Previously, we have used police vehicles and officers to form cordons, so the obvious benefit of these barriers is that they free up resources.

“Part of the support equipment to the barriers includes electronic signage and a public address system which will enable us to keep fans well informed.”

Hundreds of officers will be on duty in the city on Sunday as anger simmers on Teesside over a ticket snub. Boro’s 3,000 allocation sold out within hours leaving many fans disappointed.

Supporters had expected to receive up to 7,200 tickets in the Stadium of Light’s South Stand under FA Cup rules which entitle visiting teams to 15% of ground capacity.

But safety chiefs limited the travelling support to 3,000 after long discussions with both clubs.