95 arrested after England game

The England football team may have put in a creditable performance against Turkey last night, but the night was marred once again by the hooligan element as 95 people were arrested following violent clashes after the game.

Following England's 2-0 defeat of Turkey at Sunderland's Stadium of Light, Northumbria police detained 95 people – 25 either inside or very close to the stadium itself. The rest were either detained around the city or in nearby Newcastle. Most were for public order offences.

Three people, including two police officers, received minor injuries within the city – though not as a result of clashes with fans. A man also suffered a leg fracture after falling inside the ground during the match. No Turkish fans were either arrested or injured.

Police were out in strength for the game with around 1,000 officers on duty. Northumbria police said that many officers had their rest days cancelled and re-rostered in order to police the match "in sufficient numbers without reducing levels in the rest of the force".

Before the match two incidents led to the arrest of about 55 people: 25 individuals known to be associated with Sunderland and Newcastle hooligan elements were arrested at a pub in Sunderland. There was no actual violence but police believed there was "a significant likelihood of violence" and arrests were made to prevent a breach of the peace.

Later, in Fawcett Street in Sunderland, a further 25 arrests were made as police attempted to defuse a potentially violent situation.

Superintendent Jim Campbell said: " We took this prompt action to prevent trouble escalating and send a strong message to others that that we would not tolerate violence."

The England win now places them at the top of their group and in pole position to qualify for the finals in Portugal.

(GMcG)