Rape, sexual assault and fraud - the crimes committed in and around our football grounds; A Freedom of Information request to Northumbria Police has revealed 295 offences recorded in and around the homes of Newcastle United and Sunderland.

Byline: Chris Knight

Rape, robbery and drug possession are among the crimes reported in and aroundSt James' Parkand theStadium of Light.

A Freedom of Information (FOI) request toNorthumbria Policehas revealed 295 offences have been recorded within a 20-metre boundary of both stadiums from September 2016 through to May this year.

Out of these reports, 191 were recorded in and around St James' Park inNewcastle city centre, while 104 were listed in and aroundSunderland'sStadium of Light.

Public disorder offences were the most commonly recorded crimes in and around both stadiums since September 2016. A total of 36 reports were listed for St James' Park, while the force received 33 reports for the Stadium of Light.

Another common offence recorded was assault without injury. Northumbria Police received 31 reports in and around St James' Park, while there were just 12 instances during the same time period for the Stadium of Light.

Reports of drug possession were also higher on Tyneside, with 20 recorded incidents in and around the home of Newcastle United. In comparison, there were just three reports listed for the Wearside stadium.

There were also total of 12 sex offences reported - nine in and around St James' Park and three within the boundary of the Stadium of Light.

And at St James' Park there were three reports of fraud during the period.

Northumbria Police has confirmed the crimes listed within the 20-metre boundary can not all be attributed to football matches or events held at the venues.

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Chief Superintendent Sarah Pitt said: "It is important to recognise that these figures are not just for inside the stadium and many of incidents are completely unrelated to the football.

"St James Park in particular is in the heart of the city centre and these figures...

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