Police prepare for Manchester United v Everton game

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Greater Manchester Police is preparing for this weekend's game between Manchester United and Everton.

The two teams will meet at Old Trafford on Saturday (23 April 2011) and the Force has been planning for several weeks to ensure the fixture is a safe, enjoyable occasion for the thousands of fans watching the game at the stadium and at pubs across Greater Manchester.

There will be a large police presence throughout Trafford, Salford and Manchester as well as on the rail networks including officers from GMP, Merseyside Police and BTP.

A key part of the operation is to deter the minority of people who go to the game to cause trouble and respond to any incidents of disorder or anti-social behaviour quickly and efficiently.

Supporters are reminded of the local on-street alcohol bylaws restricting drinking alcohol in public places.

Anyone who refuses to comply with such a request could either be hit with an on-the-spot fine or even arrest. Anyone arriving at the stadium under the influence of excess alcohol will be refused entry. Following some anti-social and criminal behaviour at the same fixture last year this will be stringently applied.

With tens of thousands of fans expected both at Old Trafford and at pubs across Greater Manchester, traffic delays are unavoidable and while GMP will be working hard to minimise disruption and ensure traffic flow, fans are advised to give themselves plenty of time to make their way to the ground.

Chief Superintendent Mark Roberts said: "This is one of the most high profile fixtures of the year and comes at an exciting stage of the season. It is always highly anticipated by both sets of fans. Our aim is to help make the occasion a safe and enjoyable one.

"The overwhelming majority of fans who come to Old Trafford do so to watch the football and behave impeccably. It is important to single them out for praise because all too often a very small minority give genuine football fans an unfair reputation.

"A lot of families with young children come to watch the football, and any drunken behaviour that causes these genuine fans grief simply will not be tolerated. My message to people who are thinking of going to the game to cause trouble is that you have been warned and if you do travel with that intention you will be arrested as soon as you misbehave."

Advice for fans: 

• Supporters are urged not to travel unless they possess a valid match ticket.
• Persons arriving at the stadium under the influence of alcohol will not be allowed inside and risk prosecution.
• Drinking in the street is prohibited. In designated areas around the ground, no-one is permitted to drink alcohol from cans, bottles or any other open vessel.
• In relation to flags and banners - providing they are not on poles and do not exceed a size of 2 x 1 metre they will be allowed inside. This is for safety reasons