OFFICERS had been planning yesterday's police operation for the Blackburn versus Burnley match since December.
Concerns were high about the return match following trouble in Burnley after the two teams' first meeting in nearly 18 years.
Several hundred officers from across Lancashire were drafted in for the game and all police leave was cancelled during the planning stages.
Closed circuit TV monitored the situation before and after the match.
The police helicopter relayed pictures to the man in charge of the operation, Supt Dave Mallaby in the control room at Blackburn Police Station.
Police carried out stop checks on vehicles driving into Blackburn to check for alcohol or weapons. Bars inside Ewood Park were closed.
A number of town centre pubs were closed after police circulated a letter warning them that they could be flashpoints.
The travel arrangements for away fans were repeated from the December game with 80 single-decker and double-decker coaches ferrying fans to and from the ground, escorted by police.
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