Chief constable Mark Roberts, head of the UK’s football policing unit (UKFPU), has expressed concern over a “predictably challenging” policing operation during England’s World Cup campaign, with arrest figures higher than the two previous major tournaments.
Arrests and Incidents Rise
Figures released by the football policing unit show 88 people had been arrested in England and Wales for football-related incidents as of Monday – more than the 66 recorded during Euro 2024 and the 56 from the World Cup in 2022. The UKFPU said 463 football-related incidents have been recorded during the World Cup group stages, “significantly higher” than the 304 from Euro 2024 and the 291 from the World Cup in Qatar four years ago.
Alcohol and Domestic Abuse Concerns
Mr Roberts said it is “disappointing” there has been a rise in alcohol and domestic abuse-related incidents in England and Wales. The UKPFU reported 162 incidents in licensed premises and 109 domestic incidents as of Monday. The police chief previously voiced concerns over the Government’s decision to allow a blanket extension of pub opening hours during the tournament, urging ministers not to “pass the buck on to policing.” It is the first time in a decade the relaxation of alcohol licensing hours applies to the round of 32 and 16, with Mr Roberts saying “common sense tells you that is going to give us more problems.”
England Fans in the US
Despite domestic challenges, Mr Roberts praised England fans who travelled to the US, with only five arrests by American authorities to date. The football policing unit said two England fans were arrested for unauthorised stadium entries in New Jersey, one for being drunk and disorderly, one for theft, and one for a motor vehicle incident. All five have been released and referred to the UKPFU. Mr Roberts commented: “The behaviour of England fans – and of course the Scots – has been excellent throughout the group stages of the World Cup. In our pre-briefs we stressed to local law enforcement the positive record of our fans at recent World Cups, and it is great to see that continuing and the fans being policed according to their behaviour, not an outdated reputation.”
Overall Assessment
Mr Roberts said: “While the picture abroad has been predictably positive, sadly it’s predictably challenging domestically, as the figures show. To keep it in context we have not seen large scale disorder, but given the team has successfully negotiated the group stage it is disappointing that we have seen increased incidents associated to alcohol consumption and domestic abuse. I would urge anyone who suffers domestic abuse to contact the police who will support you.”
