8:17PM, Fri Oct 19, 2012

Operation Derby Day: Police Prepare For The Big Match

By Nisha Joshi Location: Sunderland

Video: Policing plans for the Wear-Tyne derby

Northumbria Police is getting ready for its most challenging fixture of the football season, with a visible presence stretching from Sunderland across Tyne and Wear and into Northumberland.

As the Stadium of Light hosts the Wear-Tyne derby, eight foot high metal barriers will be erected to keep rival fans apart around the ground.

Officers will travel on the Metro system and make their presence felt in pubs and streets across the force area, including Newcastle and Sunderland city centres.

Fans are being urged to use public transport or official club coaches to travel to the game, and alcohol is banned on both.

Anyone who appears to be drunk will be refused entry to the ground.

Newcastle United is running supporters’ coaches from St James' Park direct to the Stadium of Light at a cost of £5.

Tickets can be purchased from the club’s box office.

Nexus is running two direct Metro services for supporters on match day.

Metro trains will travel directly to St Peter's in Sunderland from Central Station in Newcastle. They will leave at 12:16 and 12:23.

There will also be one special Northern Rail service from Central Station to St Peter's before the match (at 11:50am).

Those travelling by Metro or train must enter Central Station by the entrance near the long stay car park and Centurion bar where officers will enforce a barrier queuing system.

For the return journey there are three Metro trains running direct from St Peter's station to Central Station. They are at 16:44, 16:53 and 17:08.

There will also be one special Northern Rail service from St Peter's back to Central Station after the match at approximately 5pm.

There will be officers based at St Peter's Metro station to ensure people board the Metros and trains safely.

Northumbria Police is expecting metros to be full and will be splitting fans into groups and staggering numbers to make sure trains are not overcrowded.