Police appeal over derby trouble

Northumbria Police have urged the public to come forward and help identify people they need to trace following football violence over the weekend.

Outbreaks of disorder came after Newcastle had lost 0-3 to rivals Sunderland in their Premier League game at St James' Park.

Police have released images of people they need to trace following football violence after the Tyne-Wear derby at the weekend.

Outbreaks of disorder across Newcastle city centre resulted in 29 arrests and three police officers being injured.

Northumbria Police have asked for the public's help in identifying people from the CCTV footage.

The man seen punching a police horse during the football violence in Newcastle at the weekend has insisted he is an animal lover.

Barry Rogerson, 45, from Morpeth in Northumberland, was caught on camera lashing out at a police horse before he was hauled to the ground by officers.

Read: Police horse 'fine' after football fan punch attempt

Speaking to newspapers today, the unemployed factory worker accepted he acted stupidly, but said the horse startled him and made him panic.

He told the Daily Mirror: "I reacted stupidly. I did not go out to attack a horse.

"I love animals - I've got three dogs, a fish pond out the back and I feed foxes across the road."

He said the pictures made the incident look worse than it was but that he had no excuse.

West Yorkshire Police have tweeted that Police Horse Bud has received dozens of messages of support in the post. Bud was attacked in football riots in Newcastle at the weekend.

A West Yorkshire Police horse who was attacked in football riots at the weekend is back recovering in his paddock today. This was Bud at home in Wakefield this morning - after his ordeal in Newcastle yesterday

He was controlling crowds at the Newcastle versus Sunderland match when a fan apparently tried to punch him. His alleged attacker was arrested and bailed. Bud's handlers say he's now doing well.

Three British Transport Police officers were injured in disorder at Newcastle Central Station after the derby match between Newcastle United and Sunderland yesterday.

• A female officer was taken to hospital after a brick was thrown at her shoulder
• A male officers was left with a black eye after he was elbowed in the face
• A male sergeant received facial and leg injuries when he was struck by a thrown ballast

The force made four arrests in addition to 29 made by Northumbria Police, for offences including violent disorder and being drunk and disorderly.

Police are appealing to members of the public to get in touch with any information or footage that might help their investigation into the disorder by football fans after this Sunday's derby match.

Chief Superintendent Steve Neill spoke to ITV News about the need to bring the fans involved in the violence to justice.

A 45-year-old man, arrested on suspicion of violent disorder by Northumbria Police, following an incident involving a police horse, has been released on police bail.

Two further men - aged 41 and 18 - and a youth aged 15 - who were also arrested on suspicion of violent disorder by British Transport Police have also been bailed, pending further inquiries.

Inspector Trevor Thackray, of West Yorkshire Police's mounted section, said police horse Bud was having a day off after being punched during troubled that followed yesterday's Tyne-Wear derby.

"We are pleased to say that Bud is totally fine and resting up after Sunday's eventful operation in Newcastle," he said.

"Our police horses are used to dealing with all types of disorder so, while the images on the news may have looked shocking, Bud wasn't hurt and his regular training ensures that he his acclimatised to this type of situation.

"The West Yorkshire Police mounted section is a well-regarded unit and our horses and officers are hugely experienced, so Bud will be back on the streets the next time duty calls."