Police arrest after threats of violence at Pompey match

A 22-year-old man has been arrested by police who are investigating alleged threats of violence surrounding tonight's Portsmouth v Sunderland football match at Fratton Park stadium in Hampshire.

It was reported that a series of messages were sent out online threatening to kill spectators at the League One play-off clash. The posts on Twitter also referred to the Manchester Arena bomb. The social media account used to send the tweets has been deleted.

The arrested man from Northallerton was detained by police during the early hours of Thursday morning in connection with the online messages.

On Wednesday night Hampshire Police revealed that they were aware that threats had been made on social media regarding the football match. A spokesperson reassured any match goers that the threats were being taken seriously:

'We are looking into these posts and want to assure the public that a sufficient policing response will be in place for the match tomorrow (Thursday) and that we are working alongside Portsmouth FC.'

Today, ahead of the League One match in Hampshire, it was announced that a man in his twenties had been arrested in the market town of Northallerton in North Yorkshire.

Portsmouth Football Club has said that the match has sold out. Anyone who has a ticket is advised to arrive early because of extra security checks.