Police costs to surge ahead of Sunderland’s Wear-Tyne derby vs Newcastle – Exclusive
Sunderland vs Newcastle is arguably the fiercest encounter in English football.
Sunderland host Newcastle at the Stadium of Light on Sunday, looking to continue their unbeaten run against the Tynesiders in the Premier League.
The Black Cats haven’t lost against the Magpies since 2011, though they did suffer defeat in last year’s FA Cup meeting on Wearside.
However, while fans from both sides are excited and nervous for the clash, policing procedures will be in place for the weekend, and they could be higher than ever before.
Wear-Tyne derby will not be a bubble match
When Sunderland faced off against Newcastle in the FA Cup, travelling supporters were required to get to the ground via club-organised coaches.
However, on this occasion, they will be free to roam Sunderland, to some extent, with a heavy police presence expected.
Historically, policing these games has been expensive, and finance expert Dan Plumley believes those costs will increase this weekend.
Speaking exclusively to Mackem News, he said: “Tricky again to get hold of data, but a freedom of information request a few years ago (2018/19) season outlined some police costs for these two clubs.
“On average, that season for a Sunderland home game, the police costs were around £10,500, but interestingly, Sunderland played Newcastle’s U21s in the Checkatrade Trophy that year and that match alone cost just under £36,000 in police costs (Sunderland’s most expensive of that season).
“Given this is now a prime-time Premier League fixture and time has moved on, you would imagine those costs might be a little higher this weekend as well.”
What have police said ahead of Wear-Tyne derby?
Over the years, there have been countless altercations with supporters, though the majority of matchgoers have been well-behaved considering Sunderland’s rivalry with Newcastle is one of the biggest games of the season.
However, with tensions high and the rivalry kickstarting for the first time in nine years, there are fears that there could be some incidents of violence, especially with it not being a bubble match.
Ahead of the game, Northumbria Police said: “There is understandably widespread excitement for the upcoming game between Sunderland and Newcastle at the Stadium of Light on Sunday.
“Our role, and that of our wider partners, is to help ensure those attending the game can do so safely and that disruption for other members of the public is kept to a minimum.
“We would therefore ask all fans to work with us to help ensure the match goes ahead without incident.”
Back in 2013, when Sunderland secured a 3-0 win away to Newcastle, 47 arrests were made in the aftermath of the clash.
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