Sympathy for our police force in advance of Saturday night

[nellodee]

I do not envy you one bit. I know we all talk about wanting to be safe, but honestly, you lot have the shitty end of the stick right now. I don't know how you can make a job like that safe. I hope that people are sensible and it is not as bad as we fear.

Good luck for tomorrow night and take care as much as you can.

NHS staff and Police where I am (Manchester) have been warned to treat it like New Years Eve, not a normal Sat night. I hope they're wrong but I doubt it. I work specifically in knife crime and there were 4 drunken stabbings last night in my area alone - that's without a busy pub.

It's likely to be really fucking busy. I haven't had rest day cancelled thankfully (yet.........) but they have drafted in all special constables and literally anyone they can find who has a uniform really.

I hope it goes OK for those on shift.

@BelleSausage

Just another illustration that we are a nation of beer guzzling morons.

Speak for yourself. I am neither of those two things.

Most pubs are table bookings only.

6am is about pubs not opening at 12 o'clock tonight. It doesn't mean they can just open at 6am; they still have to follow their license.

The police are more than used to dealing with NYE, Notting Hill Carnival; protests; riots; races; music events; freshers weeks; and just pissed up Saturday nights. Not saying they should have to put up with this shit- bit they are well able for it.

No doubt the slighted trouble will be sensationalised in the media, but I'd like to see whatever happens tomorrow night to be compared to a typical sunny summer weekend in terms of arrests and violence.

For what it's worth I said the same about opening on a Monday being much more sensible. And Ireland opening for food only with a 90 min max time seems even more sensible, but then 'sensible or 'measured' are not words I'd use to describe this government's response to anything.

Despite that, I do think it'll be the next: Oh my god, VE day celebrations will cause a spike; All the people on the beach will cause a second wave; kids shouldn't go back to school until September.

@MorrisZapp

Mate they're going to Camden High Street, not the Somme.

haha! 🤣

Tents are being erected outside some hospitals in anticipation of lots of selfish pissed up twats turning up to a and e. The plan is to triage outside and fuck them off or treat them. Seems a sensible plan.

@MorrisZapp

Mate they're going to Camden High Street, not the Somme.

Mumsnet at its finest. Thank you!

I hope I’m wrong but I predict carnage. But hey, it’s a great slogan for the govt to have our own Independence Day, rather than quietly open on a Sunday or Monday.

@MorrisZapp

Mate they're going to Camden High Street, not the Somme.

That gave me a much needed laugh!! 😂

I don’t want to wade too much into the old UK vs Australia debate again but it does sound like the pub situation is going from closed to potential problem too quickly.

My state, South Australia had a staged opening of cafes, pubs and restaurants. Firstly they could only have 10 people outside (no alcohol to be consumed!). Then 10 inside and 10 outside, then 20 inside and 20 outside and eventually 1 person per 2 square metres. We only recently had buying alcohol without a meal allowed. Police have been doing random checks and naming out fines.

Wouldn't be surprised if half the pubs opening tomorrow aren't shut again within a week or two, once all the reopening fuss has died down, it probably won't be worth them staying open.