Post by Taxigirl on Oct 24, 2005 8:43:23 GMT
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tyne/4370530.stm
Up to 20 arrests were made after more than 300 people were involved in mass disorder in Newcastle.
Violence flared on Sunday evening after Newcastle United beat rivals Sunderland 3-2, in a match at the city's St James' Park stadium.
Extra officers had to be drafted in to deal with the trouble, which happened several hours after the game.
Northumbria Police said it appeared "alcohol was a factor" in the violence. The match itself passed off peacefully.
Minor skirmishes
Dep Chief Con David Warcup said people had been involved in several hours of drinking before the trouble erupted.
"We will be investigating this outbreak and looking into how and why it happened," he said.
"This is the sort of behaviour which happens when a large number of people have been drinking over an extended period of time.
"Clearly some people were intent on causing problems and we will be trying to identify them as part of our inquiries."
There had been minor skirmishes after the match when rival fans goaded each other, but police said mounted officers and dog handlers successfully separated them.
Up to 20 arrests were made after more than 300 people were involved in mass disorder in Newcastle.
Violence flared on Sunday evening after Newcastle United beat rivals Sunderland 3-2, in a match at the city's St James' Park stadium.
Extra officers had to be drafted in to deal with the trouble, which happened several hours after the game.
Northumbria Police said it appeared "alcohol was a factor" in the violence. The match itself passed off peacefully.
Minor skirmishes
Dep Chief Con David Warcup said people had been involved in several hours of drinking before the trouble erupted.
"We will be investigating this outbreak and looking into how and why it happened," he said.
"This is the sort of behaviour which happens when a large number of people have been drinking over an extended period of time.
"Clearly some people were intent on causing problems and we will be trying to identify them as part of our inquiries."
There had been minor skirmishes after the match when rival fans goaded each other, but police said mounted officers and dog handlers successfully separated them.