Sheffield trouble fears eased

ABOUT 500 police officers will be deployed to keep order after no objections were raised to a Friday night kick-off for the Sheffield derby a week tomorrow.

Fears had been raised that the televised 7.45pm Championship clash at Bramall Lane would increase the risk of alcohol-fuelled disorder.

However, despite drafting in officers from other forces to help, police in South Yorkshire believe the late start will lower the risk of trouble by reducing time spent in the pub.

The last Sheffield derby, in September, kicked off on a Sunday lunchtime and police were dealing with football-related trouble across the city until 1am on Monday.

The number of officers on duty in Sheffield is likely to exceed the total patrolling tomorrow’s Merseyside derby and is significantly higher than deployments for recent Manchester derbies.

A police source said: ‘The number of officers is surprisingly high but it is right that hosting matches on Friday nights lowers the risk of trouble.

‘What you tend to find with earlier kick-offs is that there is little trouble at the stadium but then people have the rest of the day to drink and reflect and you end up dealing with issues hours after matches have finished.’

United and Wednesday had not met for more than five years before the September clash at Hillsborough, which the visitors won 4-2.

Police made 11 arrests on the day and issued 35 dispersal orders to fans associated with risk groups. Several pubs closed early amid concerns they could be flashpoints for trouble.

Wednesday fans will be kept back after the game to reduce the risk of clashes outside the stadium.

United currently sit in seventh place with managerless Wednesday down in 16th.