Issue date: 4 June 2026
As West Sussex gets ready to celebrate the men's football World Cup, the county council is taking steps to ensure everyone can enjoy the tournament in a safe and healthy way, both at home and in public venues.
Working with partners including Sussex Police, the county council is providing advice and support to businesses and the public throughout the tournament.
A spokesperson for the county council said: “The World Cup is a fantastic celebration of sport and community and an opportunity for people to come together. We want everyone to enjoy the matches safely and healthily.
“There are of course risks associated with high profile events like this as crowds of people gather and consumption of alcohol increases. If you see or experience something that makes you feel uncomfortable, we encourage you to report your concerns.”
The advice being given is to:
NOTICE IT. REPORT IT. GET SUPPORT.
You can report concerns by visiting the county council’s report problems in your area webpage. Here you can report concerns about incidents of hate crime or any situation which may cause unrest or raise fear or anxiety in the community.
Crimes can be reported to Sussex Police online or by calling 101. Remember if someone is at immediate risk you should always call 999.
The county council is offering licensed premises training to help them recognise early signs of harassment, sexual violence (including spiking), domestic abuse, and hate motivated incidents in pubs and bars.
The training is designed to support staff in venues to safely manage escalating or concerning behaviours and show them how to intervene in a safe and proportionate way. Staff will also be given advice on how to support someone experiencing harm and when and how to escalate concerns.
The work aims to help businesses create safer environments during the tournament and reduce the risk of violence, abuse, and anti social behaviour linked to late night activity.
Alongside the advice and training being offered, the county council’s WORTH Services team is also supporting Sussex Police with visits to people identified as being at the highest risk of domestic abuse.
Operation Hope involves proactive visits to people to make sure they are safe and to offer safeguarding advice or support. The county council helps with signposting people towards support services outside of the police and can help people who may feel less comfortable speaking to police officers.
All of this work is designed to help achieve one of the county council’s key priorities in its Council Plan of keeping people safe.
To find out more, and for lots of other advice, including how to make healthy lifestyle choices and stay safe on the roads, please visit: www.westsussex.gov.uk/worldcup
