Police praise fans

SUFFOLK police have thanked fans of both teams following the East Anglian derby - with just seven people arrested.

About 300 police officers were on duty for one of the county's biggest policing operations this year which had been in the planning since before Christmas.

As well as those arrested, 13 people - 12 Town fans and one Canary fan - where ejected from the ground. The majority of these were by the club for people smoking inside Portman Road.

Superintendent John Everett, match commander, said: “There was always going to be an edge because of the result factor and obviously Ipswich where looking for a win and Norwich do not want to be relegated.

“That is on top of the normal competitive edge with the derby atmosphere. I would thank the fans for taking the advice and our requests to behave and act responsibly.

“It is a very small minority who allowed their emotions to boil over and get themselves into trouble and be arrested.”

Norwich City fans who travelled to the game by coach and train were met at Ipswich Railway Station by police officers who escorted them to Portman Road. The same process was reversed following the match.

Police also thanked Canaries fans for their patience after their train was delayed for an hour due to signalling problems. The fans were allowed off the train and water was handed out to them.

Ipswich was peaceful both before and after the match. There were more people than usual in the town centre yesterday morning, but most were in a good mood.

There was an increased police presence and the police helicopter hovered over the town during the middle of the day.

Supt Everett said: “When you look at it being a capacity crowd and what was riding on the game and the end result as far as Norwich is concerned, from a policing perspective it passed off extremely well. I would like to thank both clubs for their involvement and support.”