Police leaders have criticised Downing Street’s decision to let pubs stay open until 5am on Monday for England’s World Cup match against Mexico, warning it will take officers “away from communities” and increase the risk of violence and domestic abuse.
In a joint statement, Mark Roberts, the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for football policing, and Scott Green, the organisation’s lead for alcohol licensing, said the “late announcement” meant forces would have to adapt plans and leave officers working extended hours. “We also know from previous tournaments the knockout 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 said.
“Police criticise late pub opening for England vs Mexico as officers moved from communities amid violence fears.”
The government had initially said it would not relax licensing laws further for the World Cup. But in a U-turn on Thursday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced that pubs in England and Wales could stay open until the final whistle of the round-of-16 match, which kicks off at 1am UK time in Mexico City and is due to finish at least by 3am. “Football might be coming home but we’re making sure fans don’t have to,” he said.
Earlier on Thursday, business minister Kate Dearden told the House of Commons that opening hours would not be extended, responding to a question from Liberal Democrat MP Max Wilkinson, who said pubs would “miss out on a real opportunity to get money in the till”. But Local Government Secretary Steve Reed said the government was passing emergency legislation through parliament on Friday, calling it “one of the fastest changes in the law that we’ve seen”.
The decision was welcomed by pub industry leaders. Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: “We all know the best place to watch the match is down the local.” Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, called it “fantastic news” that would be “hugely welcomed by operators”. Greene King said more than 600 of its venues across England would stay open for the game, including in Birmingham, Bristol, London, Carlisle, Liverpool and Folkestone. Marston’s said more than 400 of its pubs would open late.
Brits are set to buy one million extra pints during the match, in what is expected to be one of the booziest Sunday nights the country has ever seen.
Police asked those watching to “drink within sensible limits and behave in a way that keeps you, your friends, staff, officers and the wider public safe”. The home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, will use legislative power that allows extension of alcohol licensing hours on occasions of “exceptional international, national or local significance”. The question now is whether the fast-tracked law can balance the boost to pubs with the policing concerns.