A HEAVY police presence was seen in Reading town centre tonight as Oxford fans visited for the first derby match at the SCL stadium in more than two decades.
In footage seen by Reading Today, buses were blockaded in Friar Street as police attempted to stop brawls from breaking out.
A group of hooded men were seen facing off to officers in Station Road trying to prevent them from getting past their cordon, with officers moving them back towards the station.
One police officer had a video camera in his hands filming people.
Earlier today, Thames Valley Police put in place Section 35 dispersal orders in Reading town centre and around the SCL Stadium.
This gives officers and PCSOs additional powers to deal with anyone aged 10 or over if they are judged to be showing signs of anti-social behaviour or crime and disorder, not only when they have occurred or are occurring, but when they are likely to occur in a locality.
The order is in place until 3am tomorrow morning in the town centre and midnight at the stadium.
Ahead of the game Superintendent Lee Barnham, Silver Operational Commander for the Reading FC game, said: “These dispersal orders are in place solely as a preventative measure for any anti-social behaviour or disorder which takes place surrounding the game.
“By activating these plans, officers have more options at their disposal to move people out of the area to reduce the likelihood of crime and disorder or people being caused harassment, alarm or distress.”
