BBC · Sep 14, 2025
Major police operation during derby clash
Officers have been patrolling the area throughout the duration of the dispersal orderA major policing operation is taking place due to the derby match between Southampton and south coast rival Portsmouth.
The football teams met for their first league match in 13 years and there is a history of clashes between the two sets of supporters.
More than 30,000 fans turned out for the game at St Mary's Stadium, which ended in a goalless draw.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, which brought in extra officers and spent about £200,000 on policing the event, has put a dispersal order in place, while a large convoy of buses carried about 2,500 Portsmouth fans to the city with a police escort.