POLICE have said farewell to rugby fans across the world after the North-East successfully hosted three World Cup games.

PHOTOS: New Zealand v Tonga at St James' Park

The pool matches staged at Newcastle attracted about 150,000 visitors to St James’ Park, with many others revelling in the multi-cultural atmosphere in the nearby Fanzone and across the city in general.

Figures put forward by the number crunchers estimate the city and wider region benefited to the tune of £43m-plus.

Representatives of participating teams at Newcastle have praised the warm welcome they have received across the North-East, including the favourites to win the competition outright, the New Zealand All Blacks, who trained at Mowden Park’s The Northern Echo Arena ahead of Friday evening’s victory against Tonga.

Scotland have played twice, successfully qualifying for the quarter-finals with Saturday’s (October 11) narrow victory over Samoa, attracting thousands of Tartan clad visitors to make the short journey southwards.

Among the cross-border invasion force was Harry Potter author JK Rowling, who tweeted that she was losing her voice amid the tension filled closing stages of Saturday’s 36-33 Scottish victory.

Northumbria Police said the whole event, over the two weekends of matches at the usual home of Newcastle United, had passed very peacefully amid buoyant scenes.

There were said to have been only a few low-level arrests and the officer who led the large-scale policing operation commended all those who came to enjoy the events.

Chief Superintendent Steve Neill said: “I can’t thank the fans, visitors and local people enough for their excellent behaviour and patience.

“Thousands of people have descended into the city to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the matches or visit the Fanzones.

“It really could have been made very challenging for us.

“However, thanks to everyone's co-operation, and the fantastic work of our partners, this really has been a privilege to be part of.

“I am exceptionally proud to have been a part of it myself.

“This is not something that happens on our doorstep every day, but everyone in the region has welcomed this opportunity and re-affirmed that the North-East is one of the friendliest, most vibrant and safest places to be.”

He thanked colleagues Superintendent Paul Orchard and temporary Chief Inspector Dave Tennant, whose last roles before retiring from the Northumbria force were to help co-ordinate the police operation for the Rugby World Cup matches.