World Cup 2022 plan will see Essex Police handle disorder and violence

Essex Police is set to put “tailored” plans in place across the county, ahead of England’s World Cup campaign kicking off on Monday.

During the national team’s last World Cup outing in Russia, fans in Colchester spilled out onto Head Street as celebrations turned frenzied.

Flares were lit, while people leapt from lampposts and bus shelters as hundreds of people flocked the town centre.

Fans light flares and jump from lampposts during England's 2018 World Cup campaign (Image: Newsquest)

The reaction was much more muted when England crashed out of the competition following the Semi Final clash against Croatia.

Five people received fines in court after they admitted damaging bus shelters in Colchester while celebrating an England win.

Supporters were seen clambering on to the shelters in Head Street and two were destroyed as people dived off them onto the waiting crowds below.

Essex Police gathered evidence on body worn cameras during the celebrations and appealed for information in the weeks after the tournament finished in a bid to track down the people who had scaled the structures.

Eight men were summonsed to Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court and at least five were hit with fines.

• READ MORE: Five fined for Head Street World Cup bus shelter destruction

Essex Police said it is planning for “additional resources” to be in place on matchdays.

A spokesman said: “We also know the risk does not stop at venues showing matches.

“Sadly, that risk of incident continues into homes across the county.

“Domestic abuse is not solely connected to football and in fact we have highly trained teams dealing with incidents 24/7 365-days-a-year, but we do know there is an increase in incidents throughout major tournaments.”

Police say they will issue domestic violence prevention notices to perpetrators, which keep them away from the victim’s home for 48 hours while a court hearing takes place.

Fans celebrate an England win in 2018 (Image: Newsquest)

Police are also working with licensed premises on bans for individuals who use or threaten violence in venues, and will crack down on drink and drug drivers.

Where there is evidence a domestic incident can be directly linked to football, officers will also compile evidence to submit to the Crown Prosecution Service, which will consider asking the courts to apply a football banning order to convicted perpetrators.

Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow said: “We will have appropriate policing plans in place on each England matchday.

“That means officers will be in town and city centres across the county to quickly respond to emergency calls, either at venues or in homes.

“It means there will be more officers on the roads ready to respond to reports of drink and drug driving.

“If you do use the event to take part in disorder or commit crime, we will take action.

“We have also been in touch with licensed premises across the county and they are aware of what is expected of them throughout the next month.”