A PUBLICAN has hit out at police plans calling on pubs, bars and clubs in Colchester to give drinkers a half-time style break during the World Cup.

Police have provided licensees with a list of suggestions on what officers expect from the premises to help keep the event trouble-free.

It includes measures such as checking CCTV systems are working, banning trouble-makers at the earliest chance, and carrying out a risk assessment of door staff to ensure they can cope with the numbers.

The more unusual guidance call for premises to use strong plastic cups instead of glasses and that they consider stopping alcohol sales early.

An e-mail to the licensees from Michael Aitchison, licensing officer for Colchester police, said: “We would suggest bars consider suspending sales early, for example just as the second half of any game starts, to allow a degree of ‘cooling down’ and to avoid a sudden rush to get out onto the street having just consumed their last drink seconds earlier.

“Essex Police expect all licensed premises to be managed in a professional manner. We will use powers within the 2003 Licensing Act to deal with any problem premises. If necessary we will use the powers under Section 161 and issue closure orders.

“Police officers will be conducting pro-active visits during the matches and will assist with any issues you may have.

“The World Cup tournament provides an opportunity to promote sport, national pride and business opportunities in this difficult economic climate. In this regard public safety and sensible drinking are vital elements to success.”

Ray Martin, manager of the Wig and Pen in High Street, Colchester, said: “I will have doormen on, as I always do, and I will not be running any silly £1.50 drinks promotions.

“The only promotion we will be running – and have done all year – is the football promotion; £1.99 per pint of Carling for the 90-minute match. That is all.

“I will certainly not be running any cooling-off period, and if the police want that, they should look at the £1.50 per drink promotions being run all day, every day, by the bars in town. Will they be asked not to run these and to ‘cool off’?

“We are a responsible sports bar and will continue to be responsible.”

The measures have been met with a degree of caution by the town’s Pub and ClubWatch scheme.

Reeves Watson, PubWatch chairman, said: “Half of it is just good protocol and common sense and things we would be doing anyway.

“Some of the areas are slightly out of the norm though, such as stopping sales at the start of the second half.

“This is something we need to discuss at PubWatch because I think it really depends on the outlet and the clientele they have.”

The issue will be discussed at the next PubWatch meeting on the last Wednesday of this month.