On Friday, police expressed concerns regarding the government's late announcement allowing pubs to remain open until 05:00 BST for England's World Cup match against Mexico. The National Police Chiefs' Council stated that this decision would divert officers from other duties, forcing them to work longer hours despite the team's anticipated tournament path being known for some time.
Concerns Over Late Night Alcohol Consumption
The NPCC highlighted the potential for increased incidents of violence and domestic abuse linked to alcohol consumption during late-night matches. "This is directly linked to alcohol consumption," said the NPCC's football and alcohol policing leads in a joint statement. They urged fans to be "considerate" and to drink responsibly during this crucial last-16 match, where the losing team will be eliminated.
As the match is scheduled to kick off at 01:00 BST, police anticipate that it may not conclude until at least 03:00 BST, potentially later if penalties are required. The government had previously extended licensing hours for the tournament but did not account for such late matches, according to a Downing Street spokeswoman.
Government's Response to Extended Licensing
Following England's progression to the knockout stage, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced the decision to extend pub hours quickly. Local Government Secretary Steve Reed remarked that the previous measures had not anticipated England playing this late, calling it "one of the fastest changes in the law that we’ve seen." This allows pubs to remain open until the match concludes, marking a significant shift in the government's approach to licensing for this event.
