CREWE’S police officers are set to put the town centre on ‘lockdown’ this weekend ahead of a crunch game for the town’s football team.

Relegation-haunted Crewe Alexandra face league leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers at Gresty Road on Saturday, April 12.

And the town’s police force is making sure trouble is kept to a minimum by closing pubs in Crewe town centre from 3pm until the game has ended.

Police have also urged Wolves fans without a ticket to the game not to travel.

Officers told the Guardian they would be patrolling the town in an attempt to deter would-be troublemakers and target any pockets of disorder.

Supt Luke McDonnell, who is in charge of the operation, said: “An extensive and robust policing operation has been planned for this match.

“The allocation of tickets to Wolves fans has sold out very quickly. We therefore ask any fans without tickets not to travel to Crewe and similarly warn that if any supporter is found in the opposing ends of the stadium they are liable to be ejected.

“All the pubs in the vicinity of the stadium and Crewe town centre will be closed from 3pm until after the game has ended so there will be nowhere for any ticketless fans to stay and drink.”

Insp Christian Watkins, from Crewe Neighbourhood Police Unit, added: “We are expecting a high attendance for this fixture, which in turn sees an increased number of people visiting the town centre pubs and using transport links.

“A significant number of fans will travel to Crewe via rail from Wolverhampton.

“It is imperative that supporters of both clubs can come to Crewe and enjoy the game, whilst bearing in mind that there are many residents who should be able to go about their day-to-day business without being compromised by the actions of would-be troublemakers.”