Euro 2024: Policing team thank fans for behaving in Essex

Officers dedicated to policing Euro 2024 in Essex responded to a number of incidents across the county last night.

Although the vast majority were minor disturbances, we dealt with one incident of a domestic nature and a disturbance outside one licensed premises.

We were called out to a domestic disturbance in Loughton shortly after England’s loss, arresting a 45-year-old man on suspicion of criminal damage.

He remains in custody for questioning this afternoon. 

We are continuing to investigate three reported assaults during a disturbance in the car park of a pub in Benfleet. No serious injuries were suffered.

We’re also carrying out enquiries into a reported robbery linked to the football, which took place in Southend shortly after the match.

A man had his phone and wallet stolen after he was targeted by two suspects.

He reported they targeted him due to his support for England.

He suffered no injury but has been left shaken.

'We haven't seen major incidents linked to the football'

Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow, who has been leading the policing operation around Euro 2024, said:

“We’re disappointed, as is every England fan, to see the team fall at the final hurdle for the second consecutive Euros tournament.
“As with every match, we had a large-scale operation in place specifically structured around Euro 2024 for the final fixture.
“We’ve been planning ahead and had resources in place across our towns and cities for each match-day to ensure we were well prepared should England reach this stage.
“I’m pleased to confirm we haven’t seen repeated cases of large-scale disorder, or major incidents, linked to the football in Essex.
“Last night was our busiest night, we did see around 30 incidents linked specifically to the match.
“These were, in the main, a mixture of sporadic disturbances or fights reported at pubs and in streets across Essex. Officers specifically allocated to Euro 2024 were able to effectively respond.
“We had planned for this additional pressure and all incidents were dealt with appropriately, de-escalated and attended where necessary.
“I would thank the vast majority of fans for behaving in a responsible manner throughout the tournament.”

Reflect on your behaviour

If your actions make your relationships a toxic place to be, it’s time to reflect on your behaviour and get the help you need.

That’s the message from the Southend, Essex and Thurrock Domestic Abuse Board (SETDAB) as Essex unites to tackle domestic abuse.

Working in partnership with The Change Project, we are encouraging people to break the cycle of domestic abuse by changing their behaviour.

The campaign focuses on different types of abuse – from physical abuse, to controlling behaviour, stalking and harassment, and uncontrolled emotions like humiliation or anger aimed at your loved ones.

If you enter a relationship with someone new and start to feel a little unsure about the situation, there are steps you can take.

Clare's Law gives any member of the public the right to ask the police if their partner may pose a risk to them.

For more information about Clare's Law and how to make an application please visit our domestic violence disclosure scheme page.