Police plans in place for Wear-Tyne derby

Police chiefs have stressed planning is “well under way” ahead of next weekend’s Wear-Tyne derby, with a focus on the night-time economy.

Sunderland will host rivals Newcastle in the Premier League on 14 December at 14:00 GMT, marking their first top flight clash in almost a decade.

Neighbourhood Insp Jamie Southwell said Northumbria Police would have a “very wide resourcing plan” in place, adding that he had been focusing on the time “after the match into the early hours”.

Sunderland previously confirmed there were no plans for it classified as a “bubble match”, unlike 2024’s FA Cup tie which saw strict travel controls on Newcastle supporters.

The rivalry between the two North East teams runs deep and some previous derbies have seen significant disorder.

When the teams last met in the FA Cup third round tie in January 2024, Newcastle supporters had to travel on official club transport under police escort.

Labour-led Sunderland City Council’s east Sunderland area committee met on Monday.

Speaking there, Insp Southwell said: “Resources have been allocated this week in terms of duty staff and rest day staff.”

He noted they would “have a whole host of planning meetings in the build-up”, and that talks with the clubs and the FA had been held by gold and silver commanders at the force ahead of the event.

Insp Southwell stressed it was all part of what was needed to prepare for “an event of this scale and magnitude”, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

“I’ve been focusing on the night-time economy, the licensed premises, any premises of potential risk, and then the plan after the match into the early hours,” he said.

Liberal Democrat councillor Andrew Wood referenced the decision to allow away fans to make their own travel arrangements, adding: “I’m sure that’s going to make it more exciting.”

Insp Southwell responded by noting he had not been involved in any discussions around transport as that was outside his portfolio on this occasion.