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Dreamland Euros chaos sparks 'stringent measures' at future screenings

"Stringent measures" will be in place at Dreamland's upcoming Euros screenings - following chaotic scenes during England's victory over Germany.

Hundreds of fans gathered at the Margate theme park on Tuesday to watch the Three Lions' stunning win - but the event was marred for many when jubilant fans flipped over tables, set off flares and stormed the stage.

One fan with a smoke bomb on the Dreamland stage on Tuesday
One fan with a smoke bomb on the Dreamland stage on Tuesday

One security guard was seen fighting back tears as she watched on helpless as fans ran riot in the wake of England's 2-0 win, while another was seen stepping in between two topless men as tensions boiled over.

However, Dreamland has now announced tomorrow's screening of England's quarter-finals clash with Ukraine has been axed.

Everyone who has a ticket will be able to get a refund.

Bag searches will be carried out during future games, while "trouble causers" will be barred from entering, and all guests will be asked to provide ID so they can be easily identified should issues arise.

The theme park has already hiked ticket prices by up to 50% in the wake of Tuesday's chaos.

Michael Clapham, promoter of the Dreamland Summer Social, says organisers have been speaking with police and Kent County Council this week about how "best to mitigate any possible further disruption to the good times that the majority of people are having".

Fans climbed railings to get on the stage after England doubled their lead against Germany
Fans climbed railings to get on the stage after England doubled their lead against Germany

"We have identified some of the trouble causers," he said. "We will be refusing certain people entry.

"We've got them on camera, we've got pictures of them.

"They're welcome to get a refund - we just ask them to go and enjoy the game somewhere else.

"We've got a bit more of a stringent search policy, so when you come in you will be searched quite thoroughly. Your bag will be searched. We don't want any flares or anything else getting in.

"And we are identifying each member of each table - you have to show us your ID.

Fans overturned tables at Dreamland after England went 2-0 up during Tuesday's game
Fans overturned tables at Dreamland after England went 2-0 up during Tuesday's game

"The lead booker of every table - the person who's booked - will be asked to show ID and any trouble, they'll be easily identified."

Mr Clapham says only a "minority" of guests caused trouble on Tuesday.

"We've got nearly 1,000 people in there," he said. "We're a big event, and it's one of the first opportunities for people to come together and sort of celebrate football.

"We've identified who it is, and we want well-behaved decent members of our audience to come down and still enjoy it.

Fans after the whistle blew at full-time on Tuesday

"We really are taking it seriously and we are taking really stringent measures to make sure that everyone that attends can do so safely."

He added that he is confident customers will respond well to the new measures.

"The vast majority of our audience come along, have a drink, cheer when we score, hug the people on their table," he said. "Great - that's what we want.

"We're confident that everyone's going to get together and behave responsibly.

"So really it should be a good time, a good atmosphere.

"It would be a real shame if we were forced to close down because of the actions of a few over-the-top fans," he said.

Mr Clapham added that tickets are on sale for Dreamland's screening of the Euros semi-final and final matches.

A number of places in Kent are showing European Championship games on big screens, to find out more click here.

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