Police investigate after a disturbance at Gateshead football match

Police have launched an investigation following a disturbance during a football match in Gateshead.

Shortly before 8.20pm last night (Friday) it was reported that two cars drove onto the pitch during half-time of the Dunston UTS v Gateshead match at Dunston Football Club on Wellington Road.

Following this, both cars – a Subaru and a Hearse – have proceeded to drive around in circles and a group of males wearing balaclavas have then exited onto the pitch. They have then proceeded to throw a number of leaflets onto the pitch, before driving away from the area in the Subaru before police arrival. The Hearse was left abandoned on the pitch.

Officers attended the scene within minutes where nobody was reported to have been injured or threatened.

An investigation was immediately launched – and a number of enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the report, and locate those involved.

Northumbria Police says disorder will not be tolerated in the community, and anyone found to be involved will be dealt with robustly.

While enquiries are at an early stage, it is believed that those involved are known to each other and there was no wider risk to the public.

We are also aware that images and videos of the disturbance are being circulated on social media. Members of the public are urged not to speculate, and are encouraged to share any footage with police to assist the investigation.

Police remain in the area to carry out enquiries and offer reassurance to the public – and those with concerns are encouraged to speak with an officer on duty.

Anyone with information or footage capturing what happened should contact police using the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of the Northumbria Police website or call 101 quoting reference number NP-20230721-1154.

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