11 arrests at Tyne-Wear derby
ELEVEN people were arrested after trouble flared following the Tyne-Wear derby match.
Four people were held inside St James's Park, while another seven were arrested outside the ground.
Police said the arrests were made for a variety of offences, mainly drink-related.
A part of Newcastle city centre was sealed off after the match.
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There was little confrontation before the game, but some supporters and players were kept in the ground for more than 90 minutes as police cordoned off Barrack Road to contain the away fans.
Officers slowly ushered the Sunderland supporters down Barrack Road towards Central Station, which was later closed down as the two sets of fans clashed on the platforms at around 6.15pm.
Nearby Pink Lane was also cordoned off as dozens of police officers in riot gear made arrests in the area.
One Black Cats fan, who was at Central Station, said: "When the train pulled in, the doors opened and a few Sunderland fans jumped on the train and started attacking some Newcastle fans.
"The place was swarming with police, who started arresting a few people. I got off the train and left then because I was scared for my own safety."
The closure of Barrack Road - the road leading into the main entrance of the stadium - meant all vehicles were unable to leave the ground until about 5.15pm.
It is thought Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins was so fed up with waiting, he left the ground by foot, and walked into the city centre.
Despite the arrests, police praised the majority of the fans.
A Northumbria Police spokesman said: "Some of those arrested were known and were taken into custody to prevent problems escalating.
"Also there were a number of localised clashes between fans, but these were relatively isolated and brought quickly under control by the police, who took fair but effective action against those involved.
"The vast majority of fans behaved well."
Chief Superintendent Neil Mackay, head of the force's operations unit, added: "Four arrests out of a crowd of 52,000 is still phenomenally low.
"And although there has been an increase compared with last November's derby, it can still be said the match generated a great atmosphere."
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Weather for South Shields
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Light sleet showers
Temperature: -1 C to 2 C
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