ZERO tolerance.

That’s the stern message being given to fans intent on causing trouble at this weekend’s derby clash between Saints and Pompey.

Police chiefs are determined not to see a repeat of the violence that marred the end of the game when the two sides last met at St Mary’s in February 2010 and trouble erupted around the Freeborn garage in Britannia Road.

The ugly scenes occurred as rival fans taunted and goaded each other from either side of a wire fence moments after both sides of supporters left the stadium following Saints’ 4-1 defeat.

There were violent clashes as coins, bottles and even a chair were hurled from the baying crowd. In total 25 fans found themselves hauled before the courts for the part they played, with a further eight people charged over violence and disorder after the game. A total of 16 people were handed prison sentences and three were given suspended jail terms.

All were handed football banning orders, preventing them from attending matches in England and Wales. Saints currently have 67 people subjected to the orders, while Portsmouth have 30.

Banning orders But police chiefs are doing what they can to ensure there won’t be a repeat performance – by segregating the opposing sides, who will only come face-to-face inside the stadium.

Just like their first clash of the season, this time Pompey fans attending the game will be forced to travel by designated coaches to St Mary’s under the “bubble” system first used last December.

The tactic was used for the first time in Hampshire at the derby encounter between the two south coast teams in December and caused much controversy when it was first announced. But a successful operation saw no arrests for violence or disorder.

This Saturday Britannia Road will be a no-go zone for Saints fans from its junction with Northam Road. It will be blocked, along with many side roads, by 8ft metal barriers.

The road will be used to park up to 50 coaches transporting Portsmouth fans to St Mary’s. They will come into the city under police escort in a convoy leaving Portsmouth at 11am.

For a short time, part of Northam Road eastbound will be temporarily closed to traffic to allow the convoy to get in and out smoothly.

Up to 300 officers will be on duty to make sure the day passes off peacefully, while inside the ground Pompey fans will be policed by at least 50 of their own stewards.

Specialist dog units will be on hand, as will officers on horseback, drafted in from Thames Valley. The air support unit will also be keeping an eye on things.

A team of detectives will be set aside to deal with arrests while the county’s prosec-ution bosses have already set plans in motion to open a special court sitting on Easter Monday to deal with anyone charged with offences.

Nick Hawkins, chief prosecutor for Hampshire, said: “The message is simple to anyone who steps out of line – we will catch you and prosecute you.

Criminal record “You will face a lengthy ban and a criminal record. The law is not suspended just because you have stepped inside a football ground.”

Supt Rick Burrows, the football commander leading the operation, said: “We will have resources and plans in place for the small minority who may seek to be involved in disorder, but it is our intention to deny those opportunities and to ensure fans on both sides enjoy a good sporting event.”

Extra searches will take place for potential weapons and missiles.

THIS is the area that will be off limits to Saints fans before, during and after Saturday’s derby clash.

An area including most of Britannia Road, half of St Mary’s Stadium’s North Car Park, all of Victoria Street and parts of Rochester Street and Guildford Street will be sealed off from 11.45am to 12.30pm and again after final whistle at 3pm.

Saints supporters will have to walk around the ground via the footbridge or underpass from Northam Road. Up to 50 buses will bring the 3,160 visiting fans from Northam Road into the safe zone, from where they will only be able to go into the stadium.

The coaches will remain in the sealed area during the match, then take supporters back to Portsmouth.

Businesses near the stadium have agreed to close. Residents in Britannia Road will be the only members of the public allowed in and out of the cordon through pre-arranged access points.