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England fans take to Jubilee Square in Maidstone following team defeat to Italy in Euro 2020 final

By: Mary Graham

Published: 00:42, 12 July 2021

Updated: 14:12, 12 July 2021

A huge police presence was drafted in to break-up England fans in Maidstone.

Around 300 people piled into Jubilee Square following the Three Lions' defeat to Italy tonight as Roberto Mancini's side won 3-2 on penalties after both teams finished extra time on 1-1.

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Trouble started around 11.30 last night Picture: UKNIP

But late on Sunday night, people began crowding round a car which had driven down Maidstone High Street and shaking it.

Earlier in the evening a red flare had been set off as people clambered over benches in Jubliee Square.

Police formed into lines in the High Street and some people could be seen confronting the officers. It took around an hour to move people away from the area and had later put patrol vehicles in King Street, blocking anyone from driving into the High Street.

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Earlier this week Kent Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott called on fans to behave sensibly saying the force would not hesitate to come down hard on the minority who start trouble.

The South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb) was also calling on people to act responsibly saying on Wednesday it took 150 calls between 10pm and 11pm when the England-Denmark match ended, compared with just 99 calls between 9pm-10pm.

There was a heavy police presence in Maidstone after England's defeat Picture: UK News in Pictures
Fans in Maidstone after Italy's win
Police talk to fans Picture: UKNIP
The scene in the High Street Picture: UKNIP

This was a rise of 50% in just an hour.

With the post-match spike not thought to be particularly related to excessive drinking or irresponsible behaviour, the trust appealed for people to consider if they really are facing an emergency if they are willing to wait until the end of a football match to call.

It said it was handling around 3,000 calls a day.

Wednesday's semi-final against Denmark also saw red flares being set off in the town and the tradition first started during the 2018 World Cup

Read more: All the latest news from Maidstone

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