Fans to be kept apart again at south coast derby

Police will keep rival football fans apart at the south coast derby this weekend in a bid to prevent disorder.

The match between local rivals Southampton and Portsmouth at St Mary's on Sunday will see the return of away supporters travelling under a tightly controlled "bubble" system, supported by Hampshire police.

Assistant Chief Constable Simon Dodds said the force worked with the clubs to "make sure that we get it right and and hopefully celebrate the success of another safe, enjoyable game for everyone".

He said the force received "a lot of positive feedback last time about people being able to bring their family and children along to games that might otherwise not have been the case".

Hampshire police said its operation, which will see specially trained officers around the ground and involve other tactics that will not be visible, will support the chosen approach for both derby fixtures by working alongside both clubs.

Dodds said: "Our role is very much working with the clubs to keep everybody safe on the day and many of our officers are football fans themselves so they get an opportunity to engage with people.

"The vast majority of them come in to enjoy a game of football where we know there's a bit of competitive rivalry and that's great.

"We also know that there will be one or two people, I'm sure, who once again see it as an opportunity to engage in disorder.

"Where that is the case the operation is very much geared towards being able to step in and make sure those people are removed and the day can go on and people can enjoy the game."

The force said it will be "helping to co-ordinate the safe arrival and departure of all fans" following the clubs decision to continue with the coach-managed travel approach from last season.

This is in an effort to avoid a repeat of the violence that accompanied the 2019 derby fixture at Fratton Park.

Dodds said: "We know it causes an inconvenience to some fans but for the majority the feedback we get is it enables them to enjoy the day and to do it safely... absolutely as matches come on the horizon in the future we will look at alternative means of supporting the operation but its a decision for the clubs at the end of the day and one we're supporting at the moment."

The force said last season's matches saw 21 people appear in court for offences including throwing missiles, pitch invasion and criminal damage.

It said following the convictions at court last season, fines totalling more than £10,000 were issued and Football Banning Orders totalling 61 years were handed out.

One fan was fined and banned from football for three years after a crutch was thrown and hit a Fratton Park ball boy.

When asked whether the reported operation cost of £400,000 is fair on taxpayers, Dodds said: "Custodial sentences, criminal justice costs and post-match investigations can go on for years and they are well in excess of that amount of money and it all comes out of that bigger public purse.

"So it's a really challenging conversation and definitely ongoing at a national level but the focus for us is one of safety and we've put the right resources to this fixture to make sure that it's an enjoyable day for everybody."