Statement Following Match in Middlesbrough

Following today’s match at the Riverside Stadium, thanks go to the vast majority of the Middlesbrough FC and Sunderland AFC fans who turned up and, as expected, behaved responsibly.

There is always a minority who seek out disorder, and those few people were dealt with swiftly by officers, to try to prevent further incidents. Four people were arrested on suspicion of offences including public order and assaulting an emergency worker. One man was also ordered to leave the area using dispersal order powers.

There has been significant planning in advance of today’s match, alongside both clubs, local authorities and transport providers, in order to resource this match appropriately and minimise disruption to members of the public.

Resources also included colleagues from Northumbria Police Mounted Section officers, British Transport Police, Durham Constabulary and volunteers from Cleveland Special Constabulary.

Match commander, T/Superintendent Paul Richardson, said: “Our priory aim today has been to deliver an effective policing operation to help keep everyone safe.

“Working with both clubs, we also wanted to ensure an enjoyable day for those coming into Middlesbrough to watch the match, and minimise disruption to those within the town who were not necessarily coming into Middlesbrough for the football.

“Today’s game resulted in four arrests with those people now being dealt with appropriately. Incidents were dealt with swiftly so that further disorder could be prevented.

“Thank you to both clubs and partners for their co-operation and pre-planning to help make today run smoothly and thanks once again to everyone who behaved responsibly and enjoyed the game as intended.”