Police patrols up for derby games

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/lancashire/7835045.stm

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Police were stepping up patrols on the North West's rail network as thousands of football fans travel to and from derby games this weekend.

Hundreds of Burnley fans travelled to Deepdale for the match with Preston North End.

Manchester United also met Bolton at the Reebok Stadium and Manchester City played Wigan at their home ground.

British Transport Police (BTP) said troublemakers could be made the subject of a football banning order.

Ch Insp Eddie Wylie said: "We expect Saturday to be extremely busy as there are a number of derby matches in the North West as well as a long journey south for Stoke fans as they take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

"Many of these fans will use the railways to get to and from the grounds and we will be stepping up patrols at a variety of stations to monitor the extra numbers and deal with any potential problems."

He added that officers would adopt a zero-tolerance approach to anyone who causes trouble.