TACTICS employed by a North-East police force to ensure there was no violence at Wednesday's England match could become a blueprint for forces across the country.

A huge presence of more than 500 Cleveland Police officers meant the atmosphere remained jovial, despite fears of trouble from hooligans travelling to Middlesbrough to start fights.

Behind the scenes, there was a raft of measures designed to nip any potential problems in the bud.

For the first time, a high-tech automatic number plate recognition system was used to identify known trouble-makers travelling by car.

Police spotters mingled with spectactors, their movements tracked by satellite technology and any intelligence they gathered was flagged up on large computer screens.

Cleveland's Deputy Chief Constable Ron Hogg said: "Officers from the National Crime Intelligence Service, who are at every England match, described the intelligence we operated as the best they had ever seen.

"They were impressed by the thoroughness and the planning. Certainly, the operation our officers conducted was one of the most professional I have ever seen.

"We had officers from other forces watching and a lot of the innovative work carried out in Cleveland could become a blueprint for others. A lot of good practice has come out of this."

Although 35,000 people were at the Riverside Stadium, a total of only 20 arrests were made, at the ground and in the town centre.

Most were for drunkenness but one man was arrested for touting tickets and possession of class A drugs.

The policing operation cost £360,000, but under current regulations the Football Association is only obliged to pay costs in the ground and around the stadium. Its offer so far is £46,000, which includes the payment for the signs and the stewards provided.

Cleveland Police is hoping to get a £20,000 grant from the Home Office.

Mr Hogg said the bill may sound a lot but reminded people how the game gave Middlesbrough a window to the world and a short-term boost to businesses in the town.

He said: "This has put the North-East back on the map for all the right reasons.

"It was a major success for the force and Middlesbrough and it means the Riverside will always have the potential for other internationals."