CCTV examined in derby-day probe

Surveillance footage taken from two overcrowded trams that broke down on the way to the Albion v Wolves Black Country derby, leading to chaotic scenes, will be examined by police and transport bosses.

Up to 400 fans who crammed onto trams heading to The Hawthorns were stranded as damage to doors left the first unable to leave Black Lake station, West Bromwich.

Wolves and Albion fans were fighting for breath inside carriages of a second tram held up just outside the Metro stop ahead of Sunday's game. Chaotic scenes followed as fans walked to the ground along tram tracks and a flare was let off just outside the stop at Black Lake. Police said an investigation had been launched.

Midland Metro bosses defended the decision to let 400 people onto two trams, saying they are built to deal with that capacity. National Express spokesman Bryan Bannister said: "The Midlands Metro light rail transit system uses vehicles that are able to carry large numbers of standing customers.

"They are designed to operate with a standing room capacity of 208 people.

"Both ourselves and British Transport Police will be looking at the CCTV to try to establish exactly what happened."

British Transport Police had 40 officers working on Sunday, with 200 officers from West Midlands Police also on duty. Bosses said that at present there is nothing to suggest the tram was deliberately damaged.

BTP spokesman Brian Price said: "All the indications at the moment suggest this was not criminal damage, it is more likely to be a fault with the network caused by there being too many people on board.

"We are working with Midland Metro and investigating all the possibilities."

Transport police also defended the decision to suspend the tram network for an hour as fans were herded along the track to The Hawthorns.

Supt Mike Layton said: "This was a public safety matter. The decision to take people off the trams and walk them alongside the track to the football stadium was taken with their safety being our absolute priority."

Meanwhile officers confirmed eight arrests for fights between fans attending their first derby match in the Premier League.

Seats were ripped out and thrown after a smoke bomb was hurled from Wolves seating into Albion fans, with three people needing minor injuries treated. Two people were arrested for attempted pitch invasion, five for public order offences and one for throwing a missile towards the playing area.

West Bromwich Albion spokesman John Simpson said: "We would like to thank the vast majority of supporters inside the stadium for their good behaviour in creating a memorable derby atmosphere.

"Unfortunately, this has been overshadowed by the actions of a mindless few at the end of the game. The incident which has created most coverage was the throwing of a smoke bomb from the away end towards the Millennium Corner of the East Stand. Our stewards seized upon it and disposed of it pitchside."