Drinking in stands at football a bad idea, national police lead says

It would be a “bad idea” to reintroduce drinking at football games, the national police lead for the sport has said.Speaking ahead of his retirement, Cheshire Constabulary Chief Constable Mark Roberts, who has been the national lead for football policing and covert legislation and guidance since 2014, said he would “absolutely” urge Mr Burnham against overturning the ban.He said football had become much safer because of legislation, as well as improvements in stadia and engagement with fans.Head of UK Football Policing Mark Roberts (Victoria Jones/PA)PA ArchiveHe told the Press Association: “The danger now is complacency because we haven’t had tragedies or significant widespread disorder.“You start removing one of those strands and it starts unpicking it all.“I would really urge policymakers to listen to the people who have to deal with this, that’s the safety people at clubs, but particularly the police and the football policing unit.“Football’s in a pretty good way at the minute. It’s safe. People feel safe to go.“In terms of the drinking thing, people can drink before, they can drink at half-time, they can drink after. I go to games. I don’t think there’s any great massive desire for it.”Mr Roberts, a Manchester City supporter, said getting a “beer shampoo” when a goal was scored was “not conducive to a great afternoon”.Prime Minister Andy Burnham during a Premier League match at the Hill Dickinson Stadium (Peter Byrne/PA)PA WireThe Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol) Act 1985 prohibits drinking in sight of the pitch in England and Wales in the top five men’s leagues.He added: “The legislation and policy is to target behaviour, not groups of people, and, unfortunately, historically football had an issue with it.”Mr Roberts said he had been policing football since 2009 and watching Manchester City play since 1977.Read MoreHe said: “Everything I’ve seen in that period as a fan and in policing kind of suggests that it will be a bad idea.”Last month, a UK Football Policing Unit spokesman said police chiefs would welcome a meeting with Mr Burnham to “explain the challenges these proposed changes would bring to policing and the safety of staff and fans”.Mr Roberts will stand down from his position next month after 33 years in policing.