Euro 2012
Football fans who commit crime during Euro 2012 will not be
tolerated – that’s the message from officers preparing to police
the county through the tournament.
Supt Iain Logan and in his team in Specialist Operations will be
working throughout the three-week UEFA tournament to make sure fans
and families can watch the games in safety whether they chose to do
so at home or in a town centre pub.
Working with pub owners
In the run up to Euro 2012, our licensing officers
have been making sure pub owners and managers are prepared for a
possible influx of customers and have been advising them to carry
out risk assessments, use plastic glasses and make sure their CCTV
is working and they have plenty of door and bar staff available to
work.
Police officers will also be visiting pubs during the matches
and any trouble makers will find themselves banned not just for the
game but possibly for the whole tournament.
Supt Logan and his team have also been planning to make sure
residents with no interest in the competition hosted by Poland and
Ukraine will be able to enjoy a day or night out without having to
worry about rowdy supporters.
Football Banning Orders
Football banning orders will also play a key role in helping to
keep the peace during Euro 2012 by preventing troublemakers
travelling to Poland and Ukraine to watch the games.
The orders are court orders granted for football related
offences including ticket touting and racist chanting. Anyone who
is the subject of one of the orders will have to hand their
passports to police at the start of Euro 2012 and will be prevented
from leaving the country.
Troublemakers who have not been granted a banning order may
still be refused permission to travel thanks to hi-tech airport
checks.
Supt Logan said: “The UEFA Football Championships is an event
that we’ve policed on a number occasions and are very experienced
at.
“The tournament is an opportunity to promote sport and national
pride but public safety is key and we’ll be working to make sure
football fans and their families and friends are able to enjoy the
tournament wherever they chose to watch it.
“If you chose to watch any of the games in a town centre, you
can be assured that they will be safe environments. My officers
will be equipped, trained and on the ground ready to deal with any
disorder before it happens.
“Essex is a very safe place and we want everyone to enjoy the
football but we would be foolish not to plan for disorder arising
where alcohol is a factor. Tensions can rise but my officers will
be working to keep the peace.
“Anyone who commits disorder to spoil the occasion for residents
watching the games for the right reasons will be dealt with at the
earliest opportunity and pursued through the court system. If there
are problems at premises we will use all our powers under the
Licensing Act to put a stop to them.”
If you would like to speak to your local licensing officer
please call 101.
