NEWS
More security at mass events
On 13 January new legislation enters into force on the basis of the act amending the act on the safety and security of mass events and a few other acts. It imposes stricter criminal penalties on persons that pose a threat to the safety and security at mass events. It also extends the powers of a stadium ban to away matches.
The act amending the Act on Safety and Security of Mass Events and Other Acts entered into force on 12 November 2011. The act was drafted by the Ministry of Interior and Administration in cooperation with the Ministry of Justice. The draft act was adopted by the Council of Ministers on 31 May 2011. On 22 September 2011 it was signed by President Bronisław Komorowski.
The primary aim of the reform is to make the effective fight against stadium hooliganism possible and to ensure security at EURO 2012 Championships co-hosted by Poland. The reform included amendments to 10 legislative acts, such as the Act on Safety and security of Mass Events, Petty Offense Code, Act on Police, Criminal Code, Act on Weapons and Ammunition, Petty Offences Procedure Code.
Most of the new provisions of the act took effect on 12 November 2011. The amended legislation on the adjudication of appearance in person in the case of a court’s ruling imposing a punitive measure in the form of a ban on entering a mass event has been in force since January. According to the new wording of the provision, the court may impose an obligation to appear in person on an individual during the event at a police station or place designated by the responsible police commander. New legislation amending the Act on Safety and Security of Mass Events and Other Acts comes into force tomorrow on 13 January 2012.
The provisions that enter into force on 13 January are to enable effective fight with stadium hooliganism and help organizers provide safety and security at events. The club ban will be extended on the mass sports events including the participation of the host team taking place at a venue other than the host facility, in other words at away matches. Voivodes were also granted additional control rights. They are to be entitled to interrupt a mass event provided that its continuation may pose a threat to health or lives of participants, since organizers are not taking enough action to provide security.
Moreover, stiffer criminal penalties are to be imposed on individuals posing a threat to the security of mass events. For example, since 13 January any failure to carry out an order given on the basis of the Act or rules of procedure of the facility is punishable by the limitation of liberty or a fine not lower than PLN 2 thousand. Such a penalty shall also be imposed on a person who at a mass sports event is found in a sector other than shown on their ticket and fails to leave the sector despite being requested to do so. A person who at a mass sports event uses a garment or any other item that makes it impossible or difficult to recognize their identity is also subject to a penalty of limitation of liberty or a fine not lower than PLN 2 thousand. In like manner law enforcement officers or members of information services who go beyond their remit or neglect their duties shall incur a criminal penalty. Also individuals inciting fans to behaviour threatening security shall be subject to criminal liability.
Starting tomorrow entrepreneurs who obtain special licences shall be permitted to sell and serve beverages with low alcohol content at mass events.
The new legislation allows the sales and serving of low-alcohol drinks at mass events only in specially designated places and by entrepreneurs with licences issued in compliance with the provisions of the Act of 26 October 1982 on Raising in Sobriety and Combating Alcoholism. Persons attending a mass sports event will be able to buy beverages of only low alcohol content (not exceeding 3.5 percent).
Low-alcohol drinks are to be served only in safe cups. Cups made of glass or metal are not allowed. Alcoholic beverages with less than 3.5 alcohol content will not be sold or served at mass or high-risk events. Persons attending mass events are still not allowed to bring in their own alcoholic beverages.
photo: euro.gdansk.pl
