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, saying it will take officers “away from communities”.
The late announcement came as a U-turn by the government, which had initially said it would not relax licensing laws further for the tournament. On Thursday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced pubs in England and Wales could stay open until the final whistle of the round-of-16 clash in Mexico City, which kicks off at 1am UK time and is expected to finish at least 3am.
“Police criticise late decision to let pubs open until 5am for England-Mexico match, citing violence and domestic abuse risks.”
“Football might be coming home but we’re making sure fans don’t have to,” Starmer said.
But police chiefs Mark Roberts, the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for football policing, and Scott Green, the organisation’s lead for alcohol licensing, warned of the consequences. In a joint statement, they 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 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.”
The police leaders said the “late announcement leaves policing having to adapt our plans, seeing officers working extended shifts which in turn takes them away from communities”.
Pub chains, however, welcomed the move. 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 be open until late.
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”.
The government is passing emergency legislation through parliament on Friday, according to communities secretary Steve Reed, who described it as “one of the fastest changes in the law that we’ve seen”. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood will use legislative power that allows extension on occasions of “exceptional international, national or local significance”.
Earlier on Thursday, business minister Kate Dearden had told the House of Commons that pub 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”. The decision was reversed later that day by Starmer.
Brits are set to buy one million extra pints during the match, according to estimates. The police chiefs asked those watching: “Drink within sensible limits and behave in a way that keeps you, your friends, staff, officers and the wider public safe.”