Extra police patrols in Stamford ahead of Euro 2024
Officers are also reminding people to not drink or drug drive during the tournament
The police force in Stamford is reminding us they have a zero tolerance approach to drink and drug drivers ahead of the Euros.
From 14th June to 14th July, Lincolnshire Police have plans in place, including additional patrols, to reduce the risk of football associated crime and disorder.
Superintendent Pat Coates said: “We expect pubs and bars will be busier than usual as people meet up to watch the games. What we are asking is that everyone take responsibility for your alcohol intake and your actions. Don’t spoil this for yourself or others. Expect firm, fair and friendly policing. We are not out to spoil your fun, but we will arrest you if needs be.”
“We hope that the tournament will be a cause for celebration, enjoyed in safety. Working with pubs and local authorities, we aim to keep it that way.”
Alongside keeping the tournament free from disorder, the force will also be working to keep the roads safe with "zero tolerance for drivers above the legal limit for alcohol and drugs".
Simon Outen-Coe, Communications Manager of the LRSP said, "Don’t spoil your enjoyment of the beautiful game and score an own goal by losing your license and potentially your livelihood by driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs."
"If you have indulged, then please spare somebody some heartache by arriving home safely without driving. Equally don’t risk your own life by getting into a vehicle being driven by someone under the influence – and be brave – challenge them to prevent them driving too.
"The reality is that drink or drugs impairs your ability to drive and react in a timely manner and makes you a danger to other road users. So give drink or drug driving the red card."
The force has analysed figures over the last five years for arrests for drink/drug drive and failing to comply with providing a specimen, finding that they are significantly higher for the period directly before and after a key England game, with the numbers near doubling during the last World Cup.
Officers have compared the time periods from two hours prior to a World Cup or Euros match, to 12pm the next day, with the same timeframe on the same day of the week over five years.
During the Euros held in 2021, the match day period arrests stood at 41 compared to the average of 25.25 for the years 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2023, a 63% increase in arrest numbers.
For the World Cup in 2022, 31 arrests were made in the match day periods. With a 97% increase, this is nearly double the 15.75 average for the same timeframe in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2023.