West Midlands Police have outlined a significant security operation for Sunday's Championship derby between Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Bromwich Albion, with drones, a mounted unit and enhanced stewarding all set to be deployed at Molineux for what is the first league meeting between the two clubs in five years.

A 24-hour dispersal order in place

From 08:00 on Sunday morning, dispersal order powers will be active across Wolverhampton city centre and the surrounding area for a full 24 hours. Under those powers, anyone instructed by officers to leave the zone who then returns can be arrested. The force confirmed it has been working with partners "over many months" to prepare for the fixture, which carries a midday kick-off.

Superintendent Tim Robinson, who is overseeing the operation, struck a broadly welcoming tone while making the boundaries clear. "The supporters help make this the fantastic occasion it is, and it's important everyone feels safe heading into the city and at the stadium," he said. "We won't tolerate any behaviour which causes fear, harm or threatens to tarnish the reputations of other fans who can be passionate, but remain law-abiding, in proudly getting behind their team."

Why the heightened measures?

The scale of Sunday's operation is directly informed by what happened when these clubs last met. Trouble at an FA Cup tie between Wolves and West Brom in 2024 resulted in 43 arrests, 12 people charged and sentenced, and five individuals handed permanent bans by their respective clubs. In a joint statement, both clubs warned supporters to expect additional measures, including enhanced stewarding, as a consequence of that disorder.

British Transport Police are working alongside West Midlands Police given the anticipated pressure on trains and trams in the area around kick-off time.

A plea for calm from a familiar face

Former Wolves defender Jody Craddock has added his voice to calls for the occasion to be enjoyed rather than disrupted. Speaking to BBC Radio WM, Craddock acknowledged the peculiar intensity of a local derby, noting that fans of both clubs "probably work together day in day out but the switch is flicked during a derby." His message was straightforward: "Just watch it, try to enjoy it, and embrace it for what it is."

That sentiment captures the tension at the heart of any derby policing operation. The vast majority of supporters attend these fixtures without incident, and the presence of drones and mounted officers is aimed at the small minority who caused problems two years ago, not the thousands who simply want to watch their side win a fiercely contested local rivalry.

What this fixture means

Sunday's match is the first time the two clubs have faced each other in a league setting at Molineux with fans present for a considerable period. The return of this fixture to the Championship calendar is genuinely significant for supporters on both sides of the Black Country divide, and the police operation, however visible, is designed to protect that occasion rather than diminish it.

Whether the pre-match security apparatus ends up being a talking point beyond Sunday will depend entirely on how supporters conduct themselves. The signs, at least in terms of the clubs' joint messaging and the public appeals from figures like Craddock, are that the right tone is being set ahead of kick-off.

Frequently asked

What time does the Wolves vs West Brom derby kick off on Sunday?
The Championship derby at Molineux kicks off at midday on Sunday.
Why are there extra police measures for the Wolves vs West Brom game?
West Midlands Police have put drones, a mounted unit and a 24-hour dispersal order in place following trouble at an FA Cup tie between the two clubs in 2024, which led to 43 arrests.
When did Wolves and West Brom last play each other in the league?
Sunday's match is the first league meeting between Wolves and West Brom at Molineux with fans present for five years.