The National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) has criticised the timing of the Government's decision to let pubs stay open until 5am for England's World Cup match against Mexico, as more than 1,000 venues will be staying open late. In a joint statement, Chief Constable Mark Roberts, NPCC lead for football policing, and Acting Chief Constable Scott Green, NPCC lead for alcohol licensing and harm reduction, said the "late announcement" meant forces having to adapt plans and take officers away from communities.
Police Warn of Increased Violence and Domestic Abuse
The statement said: "We recognise there will be significant public interest in England's match on Monday morning and that many of the public will want to come together in pubs and licensed venues to enjoy the occasion. We also know from previous tournaments the knock-out games sadly see an increase in violent incidents particularly in the night-time economy and an increase in domestic abuse. This is directly linked to alcohol consumption."
They also asked England fans to be considerate to others and drink "sensibly" during the game. The statement added: "The likely route for England progression has been known for a considerable time yet this late announcement leaves policing having to adapt our plans seeing officers working extended shifts which in turn takes them away from communities."
Government Decision and Pub Responses
Sir Keir Starmer announced on Thursday that pubs across England and Wales will be able to stay open late for the round of 16 match, which kicks off at 1am on Monday. MPs had called for leeway beyond the 2am extended pub opening hours already in place for England matches during the football World Cup. The blanket extension means individual pubs do not need to apply for extended hours.
Greene King said more than 600 pubs across England will be staying open late to show the match, and Marston's said more than 400 will be open late. Jared Sedgwick, director of operations at Marston's, said: "More than 400 of our pubs were already set to open late for England v Mexico on Sunday night – and the Government's decision to ease licensing restrictions means that number is only going one way. When England are playing, a 1am kick-off is no barrier, and we'll make sure fans have somewhere great to watch it together in the kind of big match atmosphere that's hard to replicate at home."
Andrew Gallagher, brand and marketing director at Greene King, said: "We're delighted to have been granted permission to stay open late as England progress through the tournament. There's nothing quite like the atmosphere in our pubs and it gives fans the chance to come together, soak up the occasion and hopefully celebrate."
Limited Participation from Some Chains
A spokesperson for Fuller's said that as of Friday morning 23 pubs were planning to stay open. However, a spokesperson for Wetherspoons said "only five of the 800 Wetherspoon pubs will be open" for the match. These are: Bishops Mill, Durham; Cooper Rose, Sunderland; William Rufus, Carlisle; Penderel's Oak, Holborn; and Solomon Cutler, Birmingham.
England will face Mexico in the last 16 after beating the Democratic Republic of the Congo 2-1 on Wednesday.
