Cops warn there could be a spike in domestic violence during tournament
If England do badly boozy football fans could lash out and abuse could rise
Drinking sessions and poor performances from England could lead to a rise in domestic violence during Euro 2016, police are warning.
Football fans have been said to lash out during major competitions as their team fails to impress and police are urging victims to "please tell someone".
Senior Metropolitan Police officers have said previous football tournaments have shown it is likely there will be an increase in domestic abuse during the football event of the summer, held in France.
Heightened emotions and alcohol consumption could be a dangerous combination during the championship, which starts on Friday.
England's last international football tournament, the World Cup in 2014, saw a rise of a third in domestic violence reported in the country.
Commander Christine Jones, senior officer for domestic abuse at the Met, said: "Home Office analysis and academic research indicates there will be an increase in domestic abuse during the course of the competition.
"Major sporting events do not cause domestic abuse as perpetrators are responsible for their own actions.
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"However, increased alcohol consumption combined with heightened emotions seems to increase domestic abuse at key times throughout the tournament.
"The Met will not tolerate domestic abuse in any circumstances. It is a serious crime and working with all our partners and local communities, we are committed to safeguarding victims and pursing offenders.
"We want to know if you are experiencing domestic abuse and there are a wide range of third party reporting facilities available.
"My message to victims is: if you feel you cannot tell the police, please tell someone."
In 2014 Essex had a 33 per cent rise in domestic violence reports and West Yorkshire Police received double the number of reports.
Detective superintendent Ewen Wilson of Essex Police said: "There are a number of reasons why the rise in domestic abuse is linked to the times when England are playing a match.
"These can include such things as stress, poor anger management mental health issues, depression and substance abuse.
"In addition, emotional stressors are combined with situational factors - the tournament is held in the summer and is associated with warmer temperatures and increased alcohol consumption and fans can often identify with team success or failure as if it was their own, which can have an impact on their behaviour."
During Euros in Portugal in 2004, about 400 England fans clashed with police in Croydon, south London, after England lost 2-1 in injury time to a penalty from France.
Euro 2016 kicks off on Friday when hosts France will take on Romania to open the tournament. England will begin their campaign against Russia on Saturday in Marseilles.
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