MORE than 150 police officers will be on duty this Saturday to ensure the derby match between Swindon Town and Bristol City passes without a hitch.

The fierce rivals will be playing each other in a League One fixture and, with both teams riding high in the table, there is likely to be added tension.

With more than 7,500 tickets bought by Swindon fans and 3,500 coming from Bristol, a large-scale operation is being planned by the police.

Officers have been called in from across Wiltshire, as well as from the Avon and Somerset, Devon and Cornwall forces and the British Transport Police.

Swindon commander Supt Andrew Carr said: “We just want to make sure that people can go along and enjoy the game, which is what the vast majority of people do.

“Unfortunately, there are a small number of people who emerge for different reasons and we need to be prepared for that.

“When looking at how to run an operation like this we take into account a number of things, such as the history between the two clubs and current league performance.

“We will have between 160 and 170 officers on the day, and we are bringing in some additional support throughout the day to deal with anything that may arise.

“It is always a big fixture in the calendar and we have to be prepared.

“The station is obviously a key point had we have worked with our colleagues in the British Transport Police to make sure people who want to come to Swindon for reasons other than the football are able to do so.”

Last year there were a handful of incidents of fighting and criminal damage which the police are eager to avoid this time.

There has been talk on a number of internet forums of fights being arranged but Supt Carr said they are being monitored.

“Our intelligence regularly checks websites, although in football matches like this things are very often last minute,” he said.

“We are aware of what is being said online but this is nothing that we wouldn’t normally expect to see.

“There has been no specific threat this year.”

The cost of policing the game will be split between the force and the club, depending on the amount of officers around the ground.

A change in the kick-off time was discussed between the police, the club and the council but it was felt 3pm was the best time.

One of the factors in this decision was rugby matches in Cardiff and Bath which are going to increase pressure on trains serving Swindon.

Swindon fans going to the game are reminded that it is all ticket so there will be none for sale at the game.