Extended pub opening hours for 2026 World Cup saw increase in crime across West Midlands
Licensed premises were granted permission to extend opening hours when England were playing in the World Cup
Reported incidents of violence against women and girls and disorder rose in the West Midlands following a crucial England World Cup match this month.
West Midlands Police chiefs were asked about the impact licensed premises being allowed to stay open for longer during the competition had on crime in the region.
And Acting Chief Constable Scott Green said domestic abuse, violence against women and girls and disorder outside pubs resulted in increased demand for the service.
England played Norway in a quarter final match on Saturday July 11, and premises were granted permission to extend trading hours up to 2am the next morning.
At a West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner accountability and governance board meeting, Victim’s Advocate, Natalie Queiroz MBE said: “Licensed premises have been allowed to stay open and operate longer hours during the World Cup.
“The extended licensing hours were granted despite representations made bypolice, which raised concerns about a potential increase in crime and anti-social behaviour, including violence against women and girls and domestic abuse.
“What impact did the extended licensing hours have on the force, and what impact did the extended hours have on the levels of crime of crime and anti-social behaviour in the West Midlands, including violence against women and girls and domestic abuse?”
Mr Green said the increased licensing hours had resulted in the increase in disorder which they had anticipated.
He said: “On every occasion we’ve pointed out to officials the risks of extending licensing hours increases the risk of disorder and the risk of increased domestic abuse which we see on every occasion when the England men’s international football team play in major tournaments and in particular the knock out stages.
“Those decisions though are a matter for ministers to make. We’ve given them advice.
“Following the conclusion of that match though the force experienced four hours where demand was significantly higher than normal for the night time economy.
“Saturday into Sunday saw 57 per cent more emergency logs generated than the previous week.
“Recorded domestic abuse crime totals were the highest on Sunday, July 12 with 40 more domestic abuse crimes than the current average.
“This meant this was the highest recorded crime day since January 2023 with 225 offences – that’s 22 per cent higher than the current daily average.
“Violence against women and girls – with 60 more offences against the daily average. That’s 26 per cent increase.
“In relation to anti-social behaviour, there have been calls to service in relation to football related disorder which have mainly taken place outside of licensed venues.
“With a blanket 2am extension for Saturday 11th July, we received 15 calls for service for football related disorder between 12.20am and 2.17am so in less than two hours we received 15 calls in relation to disorder outside licensed premises.”