POLICE are reassuring football fans heading out to watch Wales take on Belgium this evening after a mass brawl broke out in Southampton city centre.

Hundreds of football fans had been peacefully watching Poland v Portugal in Yates's bar in Above Bar Street last night.

But violence erupted as the match went into extra time.

Police swooped on the scene at 10pm after a group was seen leaving the bar and throwing bottles.

And a constabulary spokeswoman said: “We would like to reassure football fans and local residents looking to watch the Euro matches in the town centre that officers will continue to be visible and on patrol, available to respond to any disruption swiftly.” 

Many fans went outside during the intermission before extra time, but a fight broke out in the middle of the street, halting a bus that was trying to get past.

It is not clear if the fight was started by people who had been inside the bar.

Glass bottles were thrown and smashed on the ground near where scores of people were gathered and a flare was lit in Palmerston Park.

Police say they worked in partnership with Yates's staff to calm situation and disperse groups congregating outside the pub.  Superintendent Andy Houghton said: "We take all reports of football related violence very seriously.

"The Neighbourhood Policing Teams, Response Officers and Specialist Officers arrived on scene quickly and resolved the situation effectively and efficiently without further incident.” 

Multiple people could be seen fighting each other on the ground in the middle of the street.

Several people then ran full pelt into East Park before police arrived.

At least 13 police cars rushed to the scene, with the first responders there in a matter of moments after the fight ended.

Dozens of police officers, including two police dogs, patrolled the area talking the bar staff and to the crowd outside the bar.

Yates's' security stopped people coming back into the bar after the violence broke out.

Everyone who had been inside when the trouble began was asked to leave before the bar was closed.

Disgruntled fans told the Daily Echo that they were disappointed a few people had ruined the night for the rest of them.

The atmosphere was peaceful during the first 90 minutes, which saw Poland draw 1-1 with Portugal.

Disappointed supporters who had been in Yates's took to standing outside The Spitfire pub to peer in through the window as the match went to penalties, with Portugal eventually winning 5-3 on penalties.

Three people could be seen standing in the way of cars trying to get past with one man banging on the window of a car as it went by.

But the unrest did not end there, as police continued to patrol the area and parked cars in Guildhall Square just a few feet away from where fans were watching the match.

Trouble erupted again as someone let off a red flare in East Park, and police quickly descended on the area.

Officers could be seen circling the park and patrolling up and down Above Bar Street, trying to dispel the tense atmosphere.

Anyone who was affected by the incident is asked to contact police on 101 and quote 44160243976.”