Portsmouth v Southampton: Dispersal zone put in place near Fratton Park to quell trouble as well as powers to remove face masks
A dispersal order will be put in place in Portsmouth near Fratton Park which police say will help keep everyone safe during the south coast derby match.
The Section 34 order has been authorised for a 12-hour period, which will start at 7am on Sunday, January 25 and will run until 7pm the same day, covering the area surrounding the ground, with Portsmouth due to host Southampton for the first time since 2019 in which there were ugly scenes.
On top of this a Section 60AA order will also be in place which gives officers the power to require a person to remove any items being used to conceal their identity, such as masks and face coverings.
Officers will be patrolling the area throughout the duration of the order and will use these powers, where necessary, to prevent disruption and ensure the safety of fans, local residents and businesses. Those who refuse to comply with the order are committing a criminal offence and are liable for arrest.
Hampshire Police has said that experience of policing previous games between Portsmouth and Southampton has seen the benefits of a dispersal order which can help mitigate any potential disruption.
Both clubs and the police want to avoid a repeat of the violence seen at Fratton Park when the two teams clashed in 2019.
In 2019 there was fighting outside the stadium, leaving a number of people injured with a police horse also being punched. Eight men were jailed for violent disorder.
Chief Superintendent Simon Dodds, Gold Commander for the policing operation, said: “We know that most fans just want to go and enjoy the game and the unique atmosphere that these derby games bring, without being worried about any trouble.
“In September, we only needed to use the dispersal powers a couple of times to move people on and those we spoke to understood why we were there and went on their way without trouble.
“This provides us with another tactic to respond quickly and effectively to prevent any disruption and we hope it sends a clear message that we will be ready to take necessary action to keep everyone safe.
“If you see our officers in the area, please speak to them - they’re there to help and listen to any concerns you may have.”