Cricket Crowds’ Behaviour

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31941, 19 March 1969, Page 12

Cricket Crowds’ Behaviour

Sir, —I had the chance of only one day—Saturday—to see these great West Indian players in action, only to have it marred by the antics of those people who are not really interested in the cricket, only in getting drunk, throwing beer cans and rubbish, and making general nuisances of themselves. The loud, obscene language used by a lot of these pests was more than everybody, but especially the women present, should have to endure. Surely they could enjoy their drunken revelry just as well elsewhere, and let those of us who really enjoy the cricket do so without these annoyances and interruptions. A police constable or two patrolling the embankment would have prevented a lot of this but they were notable by their absence.—Yours, etc., DISGUSTED. March 17, 1969.

Sir,—Along with many others I was thoroughly disgusted with the behaviour of the crowd at Lancaster Park. It seems a pity that a drunk1

en few can upset and spoil the game for those who are genuinely interested. The language and obscene remarks in front of women and children were deplorable and I certainly hope 1 do not witness such an incident again. I feel that the law on drinking in a public place fell down sadly on Saturday.— Yours, etc., SPORT WITHOUT DRINK. March 18, 1969.

Sir,—“Sport, not Liquor” makes one or two good points in his letter, but to ask me if I could have done better is rather irrelevant. I am not a policeman with all the associated training; nor was I at Lancaster Park for the chief purpose of law and order. It appears that only one person was charged in court on Monday, and only two appeared to be arrested on Saturday,, whereas a number of others were also responsible. The police should have put their foot down from the start.— Yours, etc., SOPHOCLES. March 18. 1969. [This correspondence Is now closed.—Ed., “The Press.”]