POLICE in Northamptonshire are hoping that the Diamond Jubilee community celebration will extend to the county’s football fans looking forward to the European Championship, which kicks off on Friday night.

All the games will be screened by pubs and clubs in the town centres, with England’s games taking place on Monday, June 11 (v France, 5pm), Friday, June 15 (v Sweden, 7.45pm) and Tuesday, June 19 (v Ukraine, 7.45pm).

The tournament is being staged in Poland and the Ukraine and, together with the England games, considerable interest is likely to be displayed in the Group A matches featuring Poland, Russia and the Czech Republic, with all these nations having sizeable communities in the county.

The message from Northamptonshire Police is clear – wherever you watch the football, enjoy the game, but please make sure that those watching with you can enjoy the game too.

Fans are being encouraged to stay safe, drink responsibly and behave respectfully and considerately.

Officers want football supporters of all nationalities to enjoy the tournament but will clamp down on all those who literally choose to abuse the occasion.

Offenders will be arrested and those who police believe likely to cause criminality or anti-social behaviour will be issued with Section 27 orders, which prohibit them from entering the town centre for a fixed period of time.

Chief Supt Simon Blatchly, who is leading the Euro 2012 policing operation in Northamptonshire, said: “The European football tournament, together with the other major events this summer, has presented us with a considerable logistical challenge.

“We have undertaken a lot of planning to ensure that the appropriate resources are allocated to each event while, at the same time, making sure that other areas of policing are not neglected.

“I am confident we will pass this test but the support of all our communities will play a big part in deciding how successful we ultimately are.

“It promises to be a tournament full of passion for everyone involved and, while encouraging fans to have a great time and enjoy watching their team play, we also want to remind them to stay safe and drink responsibly.

“If you cheer your team on and behave in a way that enables everyone watching you with you to enter into the festival spirit, you won’t hear from my officers.

“However, if you become abusive and hostile and commit crimes or anti-social behaviour, then we will come down on you very hard indeed.

“Watch the amount you drink and do not drink and drive under any circumstances. Be aware of your circumstances at all times and make sure you take care of yourself when out and about.

“Watch your purse, wallet or mobile phone and make plans at the beginning of the night before you have your first drink. Think about how you’re going to get home at the end and go to the cash machine at the beginning of the night.

“All of these things will help you to have a good night, with no nasty surprises at the end although it doesn’t necessarily mean that your team will win the match.

“Responsible drinking is the key to a safe and successful tournament. We have also been working constructively with licensees in the run up to the tournament and they are aware that they have responsibilities in this area too.”

(northamptonchro.uk)

Don’t spoil Euro feast of football, say police

8:52am Thursday 7th June 2012 in Local

FOOTBALL fans are being urged to “make us proud” by drinking responsibly.

Police have launched a campaign encouraging people to be polite and avoid trouble during Euro 2012.

Heavy drinking mixed with group pressure and the emotion-charged atmosphere that major football events create can lead to people behaving out of character and turn minor incidents into violent confrontations, say officers.

Police say by following the advice, fans can help to ensure everyone enjoys a safe and memorable Euro 2012.

   The advice is featured on GMP Euro 2012 wall planners — which contain all the fixtures, dates and times — allowing fans to keep a running record of how the competition is progressing.

Chief Insp Chris Hill, who is in charge of any policing issues arising out of the tournament in Greater Manchester, said: “Like football fans across Europe, I await the start of this competition with eager anticipation.

“It is one of the major highlights of this year’s sporting calendar and brings joy and anguish in equal measure to fans across the continent. It also provides challenges to police as the supercharged atmosphere it creates, fuelled with excessive drinking, can lead to violence, sometimes with tragic consequences.