Pub hooligans who kick off face a red card (From Warrington Guardian)

Pub hooligans who kick off face a red card

WOULD-BE World Cup hooligans will be banned from pubs in South Cheshire if they commit a drink-related offence before the tournament's big kick-off on June 9.

Police will show troublemakers the red card in the build-up to the summer's feast of football in a bid to make the World Cup a safe and enjoyable experience for genuine supporters.

Everyone convicted of a drink-related offence in the past six months is being sent a personal letter warning them that a pub ban will be included in any penalty for offences committed before and during the eagerly-awaited tournament.

The latest strategy means troublemakers will be barred from joining thousands of people expected to watch on big screens while they have a pint.

Chief Supt Ian Hopkins, Cheshire Police Eastern Area commander, said: "We believe the idea of warning some people that they are facing a red card will have an effect.

"The restriction will obviously apply to people who are already on Pubwatch banning lists and to people who have football banning orders against them.

"Those orders cover football grounds and licensed premises on match days, and any World Cup game counts as a match day.

"We are determined that the vast majority of people who just want to enjoy a match with their friends and a pint can do that without fear of violence or abuse."

Part of a police campaign against drink-fuelled violence and disorder, other measures include the high-profile patrolling of Crewe's popular nightspots, rigorous checks on licensed premises and a zero tolerance to disruptive behaviour.

The action during the run-up to the World Cup is part of the government-sponsored Alcohol Misuse Enforcement Campaign, which is supported by Pubwatch groups, CCTV operators and other agencies.

Inspector Sue Fraser, who heads Crewe Neighbourhood Policing Unit, said: "We're sending out a very clear message to anyone who sees the World Cup as an excuse to drink too much that any trouble will be dealt with quickly and firmly.

"World Cup football is a real sporting celebration which everybody should be able to enjoy without worrying that some yob may pick a fight or trash the pub."

Ray Bruchez, chairman of the Nantwich Road Pubwatch scheme, said: "The World Cup is a terrific opportunity for the trade.

"Not everybody can go to Germany and there's no better alternative than watching the matches in a busy pub with other fans.

"The atmosphere will be terrific. We will certainly be doing everything we can to make sure that everybody has a good time and the last thing we want is to have anyone trying to spoil it by causing trouble."