Football fans can expect 'friendly and fair' policing at East Anglian Derby next month
Around 1,600 Ipswich fans are expected to travel to Norwich for the match at Carrow Road at 12.30pm on Saturday 6 April 2024.
Police have outlined plans they have in place for next month's derby match between Norwich City FC and Ipswich Town.
About 1,600 Ipswich fans are expected to travel to Norwich for the match at Carrow Road at 12.30pm on Saturday 6 April 2024.
A policing operation involving officers from Norfolk, Suffolk and British Transport Police has been designed with the aim of keeping people safe and helping fans travel to the stadium.
Norfolk officers have also been working closely with both football clubs and other partners in the run-up to the match on Saturday 6 April. This will be the first time the two clubs have played each other at the stadium in Carrow Road since 2019.
Football supporters, residents, and people travelling to Norwich for any other purpose that day are being reminded to plan their travel in advance.
Supporters should plan to arrive at the stadium earlier than normal to ease congestion while entering the stadium, ahead of the kick-off at 12.30pm.
Police officers will be signposting ITFC supporters from coach parks and fans who have travelled to Norwich by train out of the railway station via a side entrance and on to Lower Clarence Road, all the way along Clarence Road and then on to Carrow Rd and safely to the stadium in Carrow Road to take their seats in the away section. Ipswich supporters will be signposted back to the railway station taking the same route.
It may be necessary for police to close roads for a short periods of time before and after the match, depending on crowd numbers, to allow fans to walk safely to and from the stadium. The usual road closures will also be in place around Carrow Road before and after the match.
Superintendent Kris Barnard, who is overseeing the policing operation, said: "This is a great local derby between two family friendly clubs and although we understand there is a healthy rivalry between both sets of supporters, we ask every supporter to enjoy the match and the occasion in the right spirit.
"There will be a significant number of policing resources and officers in the city centre before and after the match to keep people safe, welcome fans and assist anybody who needs us. We want to ensure people can enjoy the uniquely special atmosphere of derby day and keep people safe – there’ll be lots of officers around the stadium so if you’re unsure about something or need our help, please come over and say hello.
“Our focus will be those people whose behaviour spoils the enjoyment or the safety of others, and also managing any issues in areas where we have seen disorder and antisocial behaviour at other matches.”