Message to football fans as Hartlepool United FC welcome York City FC

This afternoon (Saturday 1 March 2025) Hartlepool United FC will host York City FC at Victoria Park with kick off at 3pm.

Prior to the match starting there will be a policing presence at the stadium, the Marina, Hartlepool train station and around the town centre.

This presence will continue throughout the match and when it finishes to protect and ensure the safety of everyone attending and to respond to reports of disorder that could take occur.

A dispersal order is in place to help support the policing operation to reduce disorder and anti-social behaviour.

Anyone committing criminality can be dispersed from the area immediately and if they return, can be arrested.

The notice will be in place from 8am on Saturday 1 March until 11.59pm on Sunday 2 March.

It will cover the areas outlined in the map below.

Superintendent Paul Richardson, overseeing the policing operation for Cleveland Police, said: “We have been working closely with Hartlepool United FC, York City FC, York City Supporters Society Ltd and other partners in a bid to ensure the safety of everyone attending the game and visiting Hartlepool.

“While most people have the intention of coming to the match simply to enjoy it and have a good day out before going home without intending on causing trouble, we will have officers present to provide that reassurance and to detain and disrupt anyone who does cause disorder. We have powers in place to respond quickly on the day and in the long term can look to issue football banning orders.

“There is also a dispersal order in place to help reduce anti-social behaviour and violence that could take place as well as increase public safety.”

There will be searches by stewards on entry to the stadium for drugs and pyrotechnics, and anything found will be seized.

Anyone who has information relating to disorder or criminality associated with football and the Hartlepool United v York City match is encouraged to report it to Cleveland Police on 101.

If reticent to come forward, you can provide information anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visiting their website.