Colchester United-Southend game unlikley to cause trouble, say police (From Gazette)

Colchester United-Southend game unlikley to cause trouble, say police

4:55pm Monday 8th February 2010 in

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THE police category for the Essex derby has been downgraded from previous showdowns, thanks to football banning orders.

Supt Iain Logan, of Colchester police, said Colchester United’s home match against Southend United tonight has been given a Category B rating and is not expected to throw up any problems for the force.

He said this category, which has two more serious levels above it, is less than prior clashes because the force has pursued its promise to go to court and gain banning orders for anyone behaving violently or encouraging fights.

Mr Logan said: “We are not expecting any trouble. It is a typical local derby which will be played out at the stadium but also shown at pubs and bars, live on Sky.

“It is a local rivalry and we are confident the competition will stay on the pitch.

“We have liaised with licensees, the club and British Transport Police, so the match is memorable for all the right reasons.”

Mr Logan said work in preventing people who had caused trouble in the past from going to matches would continue and had definitely had a hand in reducing the categorisation of tonight’s match at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

The U’s are aiming for promotion having lost just one match since Aidy Boothroyd was appointed manager. Southend United are hoping for a win to push away from relegation.