POLICE investigating disorder ahead of a Premiership football match have released CCTV footage of two men they need to identify.
Officers have so far arrested 20 people as part of an investigating into violence, which it’s believed was pre-arranged, which happened at around 2.15pm on Saturday, January 12, outside Revolution Bar at Low Row in Sunderland city centre, prior to the Sunderland v West Ham match.
The incident involved both Sunderland and West Ham supporters.
They are all on bail pending further enquiries. The investigation is ongoing as officers continue to try to identify people they need to speak to in connection with the incident.
Police have released new CCTV stills of two of them men, together with moving images of them in the area at the time.
Chief Superintendent Kay Blyth, Sunderland Area Commander, said: “We’ve so far made 20 arrests in connection with the investigation and these people are currently on bail as enquiries continue.
“There are still some people we need to speak to and there’s new CCTV footage and images of two men in particular who we need to speak to in connection with the investigation.
“I’d urge anyone who recognises them, or the men themselves to contact police at the earliest opportunity,”
Ch Supt Blyth said that she was happy with the response of the public following appeals for information. She added: “We’ve so far had a good response and there are a number of lines of enquiry being followed up.
“This sort of incident is unusual and as we’ve said previously, the vast majority of football supporters just want to enjoy the match. However, when any kind of violence takes place we will do everything possible to make sure those suspected of being involved are traced and the appropriate action taken.”
Anyone who recognises themselves in the images is asked to contact police at the earliest opportunity, and anyone who knows the identity of anyone in the images is asked to contact police on 101 ext 69191, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.