Wednesday 26th May at 11:38 am

Dear Designated Premises Supervisor & Management Team,

On Friday 11th June 2010, the world cup kicks off in South Africa attracting great interest across the UK.

We anticipate that many premises in the City will be showing the world cup, and having significant promotional activity based round the world cup.  The matches that will be the highlight of this will of course be the England group matches scheduled to be played on, Saturday 12th (kick off 19:30), Friday 18th (kick off 19:30) and Wednesday 23rd June (kick off 15:00).

Experience has shown that these occasions, unless very carefully managed can get out of hand quickly, with large-scale drunkenness, disorder, violence, and damage to property ensuing. This risk is likely to increase with the possibility of good weather, and the timings of some of the matches.

In order to ensure that Manchester does not experience any problems of this nature, I would urge you act upon the contents of this letter and work together with Greater Manchester Police so that this period passes off peacefully and successfully with the minimum of disruption to the working life of the city.

I have written to you as you run a business concerned with the supply of alcohol and, as such, it is likely that you will be visited by football supporters during the period of this event.

Please read and consider the points raised below, review your security arrangements and then do not hesitate to contact the City Safe office at Bootle Street Police Station for help and advice at any time. The telephone number can be found both at the top and at the end of this letter.

I recommend you follow the following points prior to the 10th June 2010;

1. Review the security procedures of your venue to ensure that you have sufficient ‘door staff’ present to maintain order within your premises at all times. Carefully consider the starting times for door staff to ensure that they are on duty for the duration of high profile matches or any support events your premises are planning.

2. Restrict the availability of glass by decanting all drinks at point of sale into plastic containers for on licensed premises.

3. Support the city centre Designated Public Places Order (this has replaced previously named Alcohol Exclusion Zone) and actively prevent ANY drink from being taken outside even for consumption within the outside curtilage of your premises.

4. Ensure that you have strict policies in place to prevent alcohol being sold or consumed by fewer than 18s

5. Ensure that the nite net radio system is in operation at your premises.

6. Ensure that the internal C.C.T.V. system is fully operative and is recording throughout the day.

7. If you use any street furniture outside the front door of your venue on these days ensure that they are constantly supervised, no glass is allowed, numbers strictly monitored and no drunkenness permitted

8. Employ a strict entry and search policy with regard to weapons, carrying alcohol into or from your premises. Ensure the numbers of persons inside your venue is strictly controlled.

9. Consider employing extra numbers of bar staff and glass collectors. Utilise these staff to ensure that levels of alcohol consumption remains below the level of drunkenness.

10. Carry out an internal ‘risk assessment’ and consider removing any items of internal furniture, fittings and ornaments which may be misused or damaged in the event of disorder.

11. Do NOT engage in any inappropriate promotional activity, which may be considered to promote drunkenness or give away free or excessively cheap alcoholic drinks.  Officers will be monitoring this.

12. If requested by police to stop selling alcohol at any time when World Cup matches are being played please comply with our instructions straight away, as it will be for a specific reason to avoid any disorder.

We would like to reassure you that a uniformed Police operation will be employed in the city centre especially on the days when England are playing, a dedicated uniform licensing team from the City Safe Unit will also be working and will be conducting formal visits to licensed premises during the same period.

Although we will endeavour to provide you with all the support and assistance we can, I must remind you that the management of licensed premises remains the responsibility of the Designated Premises Supervisor. Therefore, if it is considered that you have not done all that might reasonably be expected to prevent problems occurring, then the Police Commander on the day will give serious consideration to issuing a CLOSURE NOTICE under Section 161 of the Licensing Act 2003 and taking any further action that is thought necessary

Your co-operation and professionalism will be integral to this being a successful period for the City of Manchester.

We look forward to working with you in partnership during this event as we have on previous city centre events. I would like to thank you in advance for your assistance.

If you require any further information or advice please contact the City Safe office on 0161 856 3117 or 0161 856 3171.

Thank you for your co-operation.

Yours faithfully,

Caroline Ball

Chief Superintendent
Bootle Street Police Station
North Manchester Division