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Update on Southampton v Portsmouth FA Cup Policing Operation

Press Releases

Published: 13/02/2010


A well planned police operation to ensure public safety at today’s Southampton v Portsmouth football match has proved successful. More than 260 officers have been involved in policing the match.

There were only two arrests before the game. They happened when officers escorted a group of Pompey supporters from the police station to the stadium.

An 18-year-old and a 21-year-old have been arrested in connection with throwing fireworks.

Officers have dealt with a number of other small incidents and a stand off between a numbers of fans antagonising each other outside the stadium in Britannia Road during which some missiles were thrown between the groups.

The Thames Valley police horses along with our officers successfully kept the fans apart and moved them on.

Officers also escorted a large contingent of Portsmouth fans to Southampton Central Railway Station where special trains were laid on to take them home.

Chief Superintendent Matthew Greening, Southampton’s Police Commander said: “We planned our police operation very carefully, and public safety was our emphasis. We are very pleased with how it went. We have successfully dealt with a number of incidents ably assisted by the Thames Valley Police horses and our colleagues from British Transport Police. 

“It is very disappointing that a small number of irresponsible fans were determined to make trouble. However they were dealt with swiftly and professionally by our officers. However the majority of fans behaved fantastically and had a good day out even if for some the result wouldn’t have been what they wanted.”

In all there have been 11 arrests for a number of public order offences. Investigations will continue into the incidents including the events in Britannia Road and further arrests may follow.


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