 There were disturbances before the England game at Sunderland |
Police in the north east of England are on standby to deal with any hooliganism at the last Tyne-Wear derby match for at least a year. Sunderland, who are already relegated from the Premiership, play host to Newcastle United on Saturday.
There are organised groups of hooligans who have attached themselves to the two clubs, the Gremlins at Newcastle United, and the Seaburn Casuals at Sunderland.
The fixture comes four weeks after violent clashes in Sunderland at the Euro 2004 qualifying tie between England and Turkey.
On that occasion Northumbria Police considered their tactic to make mass arrests of known hooligans before kick-off was a success.
'Prevent disorder'
Speaking ahead of Saturday's game at the Stadium of Light, Superintendent Paul Weir said potential trouble-makers will be stopped.
He said: "There is some information we are working on, with indicates that certain factions of Sunderland supporters are intent on confronting certain factions of Newcastle supporters.
"But, as we have done with other high-profile fixtures, we will be targeting those known hooligan groups.
"We will take steps to prevent any breach of the peace and any serious disorder."
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