Super Saturday ‘will be just like New Year’s Eve’
POLICE are ramping up resources to treat Super Saturday like New Year’s Eve over fears pubs will be packed with punters flouting social distancing guidelines.
Force chiefs, council bosses and business leaders are preparing for when bars, restaurants, hairdressers and many other outlets reopen.
Thousands of extra officers are expected to be deployed to city and town centres amid concerns there will be little or no social distancing and even disorder in some pubs.
Strict measures will be in place with contactless payments, table service and staff wearing personal protective equipment.
Shifts are being changed, the Daily Express understands, so that officers start earlier and reinforce the ranks on a day expected to be similar, in policing terms, to December 31.
Officers hope heavy summer showers will put a damper on Super Saturday and send drunken revellers home early.
Frustration
Former Metropolitan Police Inspector Glen Smyth said: “PC Rain has always been the best police officer in the world. Rain really dampens people’s spirits and can make a huge difference.
“A wet and windy weekend will take a lot of the problems away.”
But forecasts say Saturday night around England and Wales is likely to be cloudy, breezy and with only the chance of light rain.
John Apter, chair of the Police Federation, admitted officers want the Government to delay Super Saturday in favour of a midweek reopening after four months of frustration among pub regulars.
He said: “We’ve seen some violence on the street, an awful lot of it for police officers.
“The day the easing of lockdown was announced for – the fourth of July – was also made in a celebratory type way, almost like a public holiday. It’s far from a public holiday.”
He said if people expected a return to normal times, they will be caught out.
He added: “There are going to be significant restrictions which will create extra pressures. We encourage the government to choose an alternative date.
“It’s not far from payday, people will have just been paid, and for the emergency services this will resonate – it’s a full moon, which creates a whole host of issues.”
Senior officers insist they will not police social distancing in pubs.
But West Midlands Police Chief Superintendent Steve Graham insisted “we will be on hand should the need arise”.
He added: “Businesses have suffered financially as a result of the lockdown measures and it’s great to see them being able to reopen this weekend.
“However we need people to take personal responsibility for their actions and behaviour − observe the social distancing measures and follow instructions laid out by venues so they are able to operate effectively and stay open.
“Throughout the pandemic we have continued to patrol our towns and city centres and obviously this weekend will continue to put the appropriate resources in place.
“We will not be ‘policing’ measures in venues, this is the responsibility of licensees but we will be on hand should the need arise.” The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, David Jamieson, said: “Saturday is set to be a busy day.
“Preparations are underway and we are working closely with pubs, to mitigate the threat of disorder.
“I would urge people to act sensibly on Saturday.”
A spokesman for Bedfordshire Police said: “We will be targeting police patrols in pub and restaurant
hotspots within the county, focusing on engaging, explaining and encouraging the public to adhere to government guidance.]
“Our patrols will be centred around the main areas in the county for licensed establishments.”
Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Kearton, National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for alcohol licensing and harm reduction, said: “The vast majority of drinkers are responsible but we know some people will drink to excess and become vulnerable to harm or indeed cause harm to others.
“The key advice is to know your limits, plan your day and consider how you will get home safely.
“Anti-social and criminal behaviour is not acceptable and police continue to work with the night time economy to maximise safety and cut crime.”