Police warn there could be more disturbances in Southend
It follows violent disorder last night
Essex Police has warned of potential for further disturbances in Southend after a night of violence and disorder that ended with eight in a custody cell and seven weapons seized.
It comes after a number of people travelled to the seafront for a planned 'beach party'.
Officers had received intelligence about the planned event and had plans in place to monitor it; but they were not anticipating the groups of people to break into small fights and for some of the attendees to be carrying weapons.
Chief Superintendent Leighton Hammett said the force was now aware of potential further mass gatherings. "There is intelligence about similar gatherings taking place over the next five days and we are preparing for those," he said. "We will take the learning from Tuesday and make sure we have that in place to keep people safe.
Let me be clear… if you come to Southend planning to carry out disorder or violence, you will be dealt with.
There will be a very visible police presence in and around the seafront over the coming days, and we will be working with Southend-on-Sea City Council, the British Transport Police, and rail network providers to ensure this doesn’t happen again.
You have my commitment that we will not allow people to come here and make you feel unsafe.'