MORE police will be deployed at AFC Bournemouth next season to cope with an increase in fans and higher profile visiting Championship teams.

A new temporary stand at the Goldsands Stadium will increase capacity at the ground to around 12,000 and the club hopes to welcome as many as 3,000 away fans at some of the bigger games.

Dorset Police say they are hoping for a trouble-free season but warn they will deal “robustly” with any fans who cause disorder or anti-social behaviour.

Visiting teams include Millwall, Birmingham City, and Leeds United.

More police have been allocated to clashes between Cherries and Leeds since the clash in May 1990 when Leeds fans rampaged through Bournemouth, the worst riots ever witnessed in the town.

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: “There is likely to be an increase in the numbers of police officers in attendance next season at AFC Bournemouth fixtures at the Goldsands Stadium due to the higher-profile teams that will be visiting.”

Police said each match would be graded according to information and intel-ligence, including the date and time of the fixture and the opponents.

“We will continuingly review the information and intelligence available for each game, working with the football club to determine a justified and proportionate policing response to the fixtures to ensure a safe event, as we always have,” the spokesman added.

Nicky Searle, lead on football at Dorset Police, added: “Both Dorset Police and AFC Bournemouth have a very good record of working together to deliver a trouble free and safe environment for supporters to enjoy on match days and this was evident in AFC Bournemouth being named League One Family Club of the Year at the Football League Awards 2013.

“To ensure that AFC Bournemouth fixtures continue to be enjoyed by supporters, their families and the wider community, Dorset Police will deal robustly with football related disorder and football related anti-social behaviour. Any persons found to be involved will face prosecution and a Football Banning Order will be sought.”