Six arrested after violent disorder in Southend
Police have a dispersal order in place till tonight
Officers have dispersed members of the public from the Southend seafront and High Street, with additional patrols continuing their work in the city overnight.
Police are now continuing investigations into the incidents of disorder in the city tlast night, with several lines of enquiry to identify further suspects in addition to the six people arrested.
The Section 60 dispersal order, which gives officers the power to stop and search individuals for offensive weapons, remains in place until 8pm tonight (Wednesday 31 July.)
There will be a large and visible police presence across the city centre and officers say further disorder will not be tolerated.
Officers have made six arrests and seized weapons after a Section 60 dispersal order, which gives officers’ authority to exercise powers of stop and search, was enforced on the Southend seafront.
This order, under Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, follows incidents of disorder.
Section 60 powers allow a constable in uniform to stop and search any pedestrian or anything carried by them, any vehicle, its driver and passengers, for offensive weapons or dangerous instruments.
Chief Superintendent, Morgan Cronin, said: "We have a zero-tolerance approach to violence, disorder and carrying weapons in Essex.
"We have a large number of officers in the city centre, who have already seized a number of weapons and made quick arrests following these incidents.
“Our officers are working closely with our local partners and businesses to make sure they are safe and supported. We want to make sure our communities are safe and we will use all the appropriate powers at our disposal to do so.
“Our officers have responded to these incidents reported by members of the public this evening, and the information they provided is invaluable.
“I would also like to thank the vast law-abiding majority of the public for their co-operation today.
“But we know there are other witnesses to these incidents who may have important details to share.
“We will have a visible presence in Southend this evening and tomorrow – if you know something, please speak to one of our officers or contact us to help.”
If you have any information or dashcam footage of disorder in the city centre at about 7pm, please contact us quoting incident number 1094 of Tuesday 30 July.
You can let us know by submitting a report on the website or by using our online Live Chat service which is available 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week.
It can be found at the bottom right of the homepage here
Alternatively, you can call 101.
In an emergency always call 999.
If you would like to make an anonymous report you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers, by visiting its website or by calling 0800 555 111.