World Cup 2026: Keeping our county safe

With the World Cup upon us, we’re ready to keep the county safe and support fans in responsibly enjoying the tournament.

We have plans in place, including additional patrols, to reduce the risk of football associated crime and disorder.

Superintendent Phil Vickers, Head of Specialist Operations at Lincolnshire Police, said: “Your alcohol intake and your actions are your responsibility. We want everyone to enjoy the tournament safely and we will be working with pubs and local authorities to make that happen.”

Studies have linked large scale international football tournaments with an increase in domestic abuse and that finding was reflected in Lincolnshire during the Euros 2020 when we recorded an increase in reports. We will be joining with partners to raise awareness of this risk, encouraging reporting and highlighting help. Our campaign, Spot, Stop, Support, will see thousands of drinks coasters delivered to venues on the county which will signpost to support for domestic abuse.   

We will also be working to keep our roads safe reminding drivers about the consequences for drink/drug driving.

Simon Outen-Coe, Communications Manager of the LRSP said, "Don’t spoil your enjoyment of the Football World Cup and score an own goal by losing your license and potentially your livelihood by driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs. Also remember some of these matches will finish in the early hours, so be aware of being over the limit if travelling to work later on that day.

“If you have indulged, then please spare somebody heartache by arriving home safely without driving. Equally don’t risk your own life by getting into a vehicle being driven by someone under the influence – and be brave – challenge them to prevent them driving too. The reality is that drink or drugs impairs your ability to drive and react in a timely manner and makes you a danger to all other road users. So give drink or drug driving the red card."

Arrests for drink/drug drive and failing to comply with providing a specimen near doubled for the period directly before and after a key England game in the 2022 World Cup tournament. Time periods from two hours prior to a match, to 12pm the next day, were compared with the same timeframe on the same day of the week over five years. 31 arrests were made in the match day periods compared to the average number of 15.75 for the same time periods in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2023. It’s probable that both intensified policing, and an increase in the number of offenders, contributed to this increase.

Supt Vickers said, "Keeping the county safe includes our roads. If you are over the limit, you need to have a plan to get home that doesn’t involve driving. This applies on the night and the following morning, when you could still be over the limit. The figures show you could be twice as likely to be arrested and the consequences include a fine, a driving ban, and a criminal conviction.”

Please behave responsibly and look out for one another. Whatever the results, we understand that emotions may be heightened, and we ask supporters to be mindful of the impact that negative behaviour can have on our communities.