Newcastle and Sunderland fans warned before derby game
Police will carry out extra patrols in Newcastle and Sunderland on Sunday as football fans gather to watch the Tyne-Wear derby.
Sunderland travel to St James' Park under new manager Paolo Di Canio, needing points to move away from the Premier League's relegation zone.
Officers will visit pubs in both city centres and are warning supporters that trouble will be firmly dealt with.
Supt Bruce Storey said there would be a visible police presence all day.
Fascist salutes warning
"We want football fans to enjoy the occasion and won't allow a small minority who drink to excess and cause trouble to spoil it for the majority of real supporters," he said.
"We're also working to ensure there is minimum disruption to local residents and businesses, and people going to the city but not attending the match."
Newcastle fans were warned not to taunt Di Canio with fascist salutes during the game, which kicked off at 12:00 BST.
The 44-year-old issued a statement shortly after joining Sunderland last month insisting he does not "support the ideology of fascism".
The Italian was fined for making right-arm salutes to Lazio fans as a player in 2005.
Sunderland supporters will be asked to wait inside the stadium for a short while after the final whistle, police said.
The sides last met at the Stadium of Light in October when the game ended 1-1.