Leeds United v Huddersfield Town: Policing will be ‘firm but friendly’

Dec 5 2009 by Sam Casey, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

EXTRA police patrols will be in place in Huddersfield town centre following Town’s game at Leeds United this lunchtime.

Huddersfield South Neighbourhood Policing Team, which covers the town centre, is keen to avoid any potential problems caused by fans who may have started drinking early for the 12.15pm kick-off.

Two years ago the same fixture was marred when hooligans attacked the statue of Leeds United legend Billy Bremner outside the Elland Road ground.

Insp Adrian Waugh said he did not have major concerns about the Elland Road fixture, but had arranged extra patrols as a precaution.

“Because it’s a major sporting event – one of the biggest football matches West Yorkshire has – there are officers involved from all over the force in policing the game and that includes Huddersfield,” he said.

“There are a couple of vans going over from Kirklees to help out, but we will have extra patrols in the town centre here for later in the afternoon.

“We don’t want fans coming back having been drinking all day and causing problems so we will be showing an extra presence.

“The majority of fans are law-abiding and not intent on causing trouble at all, but it is best to be prepared.”

Town will take about 2,700 fans to the game, expected to be a 38,000 sell-out, which would be a League One record for this season.

They go into the game having won their last three games against Leeds.

But their opponents are unbeaten in the league at home since January and have won their last five league games.