Textbook police operation hailed a success

The huge Saints travelling army - which was ferried to Fratton Park in a 42-strong "coach bubble" - returned backed to Southampton shortly after 4pm.

The disappointed fans had seen their team draw against Portsmouth, despite having a 1-0 lead until the 85th minute.

The police operation had involved more than 200 officers and resulted in numerous road closures and erection of barricades around Fratton Park to keep the two sets of fans apart.

But it proved to be a textbook operation and soon after the final whistle the police were quick to praise the 19,897-strong crowd for its behaviour.

Hampshire police have now announced that they plan to repeat the operation for the return fixture when Saints entertain Portsmouth at St Mary's on April 7.

However, a 26-year-old man was arrested at Fratton Park yesterday, outside the turnstiles, before the match.

He has been charged with possessing a firework and has been bailed to appear before magistrates on December 29.

It was a day of tension which effectively began when the alcohol-free coach convoy carrying 3,000 fans, made it down the M27 towards Portsmouth. Operation Delphin involved escorting the coaches and buses straight to the away end of the ground, which was achieved by 12.17pm.

Amid deafening noise, the fans then made their way to the ground through alleyways.

Five large police vans blocked off Rodney Road to allow Saints fans to get to the away end of the ground before the kick-off at 1pm.

The coaches had left Southamptin two batches. The first contained fans travelling from Winchester and they met more coaches departing from St Mary’s on the M27. These coaches then travelled into the city together along the Eastern Road at a slow speed.

The second convoy departed shortly after, with the remainder of fans from Southampton meeting coaches in Bursledon to make the journey together.

The escorted Southampton team arrived at the ground at 11.30am, before the fans’ coaches.

Close to Fratton Park scores of police assembled as final preparation's were made for the police operation.

Thames Valley Police mounted section were ready, riot shields were packaged up and giant metal shutters erected in Eastern Road to block off key roads in and around the stadium.

Games between the two sides have a history of violence which has prompted the police to use the so-called “coach bubble”technique.

Only fans on the coaches had tickets for the game.

The fans been searched before boarding the coaches - to avoid them being searched entering the stadium at the other end.

Several 8ft steel barricades were erected at road junctions near the ground where potential flashpoints could occur. Many local pubs near the ground will be closed too and local businesses have been warned to expect disruption.

Residents and shoppers heading towards Portsmouth on what will be one of the busiest shopping days of the year are also being urged to avoid the area.

The police operation was one of the largest witnessed in the south for a football match and the police team includes officers on horseback as well as the force dog unit.

Inside the ground, Saints fans were policed by up to 50 of their own stewards. After the game, fans will depart together in the coach bubble.

Some Saints fans had already criticised the operation saying it impinges their civil liberties but Hampshire police insist wider public safety concerns must be their overriding priority.

It was the first time that the two sides have met at Fratton Park for five years – and comes six years after riots broke out in parts of the city when the two teams met.

On the pitch it was a massive game for Saints who still top the Championship after the draw - but by just a point.