POLICE have warned football fans not to “kick off after kick-out time” when crowds join together at pubs to cheer on England this weekend.
Officers have stepped up patrols throughout the tournament to keep people safe and urged supporters to keep to the current Covid restrictions.
It follows a series of arrests across the county after this week’s England vs Denmark semi final, with trouble erupting after the game had finished.
A 21-year-old man from North Benfleet was arrested after bottles were thrown in Southchurch Road in Southend, with police crews later cordoning off the town’s High Street so that people could be dispersed safely.
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Martin Terry, Southend councillor for public protection, headed to Wembley Stadium himself to watch Wednesday’s semi-final - and has urged residents to behave just as respectfully as fans did at the stadium.
Mr Terry said: “I do think everyone will go mad. This is the first major championship we could win in decades.
“As much as we all want to get up, jump up and down and celebrate please remember the pandemic is still around and be cautious.
“We are also liaising with the businesses very closely. My advice would be if it gets really out of hand either stop serving or close if absolutely necessary.
“Nobody wants that to happen - there were 60,000 odd people at Wembley and I didn’t see any problems, so let’s not be any different.”
A police spokesman, said: “As we approach the final (yes, final) on Sunday, we have just one message for you - please don’t ruin it for everyone else.
"On Wednesday night officers were patrolling across the county to make sure everyone felt safe during the Euro 2020 celebrations.
"From Stanford-le-Hope to Southend, Billericay to Clacton, the majority of people we engaged with, and pubs we went into, were enjoying the football responsibly.
"However, we know that some places kicked off after kick-out and we won’t accept behaviour that puts other people at risk.
"We made sure that, across the county, most people were able to celebrate and get home safely.
"Don’t score an own goal this weekend when celebrating our historic appearance. Stay safe and look after each other."
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