Sheff Utd vs Sheff Weds: More than 500 extra police officers drafted in to prevent violence
SOUTH YORKSHIRE police have drafted in around 500 extra officers to deal with this Friday night's Sheffield derby.
They believe the 7.45pm start will lower the risk of trouble by reducing time spent in the pubs and around the city afterwards.
But despite the late kick-off time, police are taking no chances for the Championship clash at Bramall Lane.
The decision to have an evening game is based on troubled past experience.
In September the season's first derby at Hillsborough kicked off at Sunday lunchtime.
Police were dealing with football-related trouble across the city until 1am on Monday.
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Eleven arrests were made on the day and cops issued 35 dispersal orders to fans associated with risk groups.
Several pubs closed early amid concerns they could be flashpoints for trouble.
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Now it seems the number of police at Bramall Lane will exceed those at the Merseyside derby on the same night.
The figure is also significantly higher than deployments for recent Manchester derbies.
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A source told : "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."
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Before hostilities resumed in September the two teams had not locked horns in more than five years.
Newly-promoted United won the game 4-2.
This time Wednesday supporters will be kept back to cut down the risk of aggro outside the stadium.