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   Plans to police this weekend's Manchester derby
Football fans in Manchester are set for an exciting weekend with a much-anticipated Manchester derby on Sunday. Plans are in place to police the FA Cup third round match between Manchester City and Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium, which will kick off at 1.00pm on Sunday 8 January 2012. Assistant Chief Constable Terry Sweeney said: "Manchester has been fortunate enough to be able to enjoy another derby match, this time as an exciting FA Cup tie. "It always creates a good atmosphere and many thousands of fans will be out to enjoy what is an eagerly anticipated game. "The close rivalry between the clubs really adds something extra to this fixture and should be embraced, but we must also ensure that this is not used as an excuse by some individuals to carry out football-related violence and disorder. "Manchester will be coming together on this day and we want to ensure that the occasion remains festive and safe. "Both clubs have been working closely with police in the lead up to the game, to ensure the event is a safe and enjoyable one for all who attend. "In recent derbies, the vast majority of fans have enjoyed themselves and behaved impeccably, and the number of arrests we have had to make has been relatively low considering the number of people who attend. "And we do make it clear to the minority of fans who may be thinking of causing any trouble that we will clamp down hard on them. "Both Manchester United and Manchester City are supportive of the fact that anyone who is arrested in connection with causing trouble at the derby this weekend, runs the risk of being banned from entering their respective clubs again in the future. "We are also making it clear that it is business as usual in the city centre for shoppers." There will be additional police patrols in place in the city centre and around the ground to deal with the large number of fans who are attending and officers will be visiting pubs where the match is being shown live on TV. Chief Superintendent Mark Roberts continued: "The game will also be televised so we take this opportunity to remind anyone watching at home that we are well aware that competitive tension and increased alcohol consumption can sometimes provoke abuse and violence at home. "Please be clear that we will also come down hard on anyone that carries out any act of domestic abuse - there is never an excuse for this to happen. We encourage anyone who is a victim of domestic abuse to contact us as full support and valuable help is available to those in need from both GMP and our partner agencies." Photo: Assistant Chief Constable Terry Sweeney
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