Eight arrested and weapons seized after violence and disorder in seaside town

A video shared on social media appeared to show people dressed in black brandishing large knives near the Adventure Island theme park in Southend.

Southend seafront (Nick Ansell/PA) (PA Archive)

Eight people have been arrested and seven weapons seized after “appalling” violence and disorder on Southend seafront.

A video shared on social media appeared to show people dressed in black brandishing large knives near the Adventure Island theme park in the Essex town on Tuesday evening.

There was also footage which appeared to show incidents of violence in the high street.

Two of the people detained were taken to hospital with non life-threatening or life-changing injuries, police said.

An East of England Ambulance Service spokesman said at around 7pm it received reports that a man had been stabbed.

One patient was transported by air to Royal London Hospital, while another patient was taken by police to Southend University Hospital.

Another person was discharged at the scene.

In one specific incident at about 7.40pm, an assault with an offensive weapon was seen by security staff and members of the public in Marine Parade, Essex Police said.

One suspect at the scene was arrested on suspicion of possessing a bladed article and causing grievous bodily harm.

Essex Police said it believes the conflict occurred within groups of young men and women who had travelled to Southend.

The force has put a Section 60 dispersal order in place, which gives officers powers to exercise stop and searches.

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.

Essex Police said the order covered Marine Parade, Pier Hill, High Street, Western Esplanade and both the railway stations in the city and will remain in place until 8pm on Wednesday.

Chief Superintendent Leighton Hammett said: “These incidents are appalling – we will not tolerate this dangerous and violent behaviour on our streets.

“We responded quickly, with officers already deployed on the seafront and arrests made to keep the public safe.

“We have multiple lines of inquiry to identify more suspects and bring them to justice.

“Early indications are groups of young men and women have travelled into Southend and the conflict has occurred within these groups.

“The actions of those involved were deplorable, disgusting and people intent on acting like this are not welcome in Southend-on-Sea

Daniel Cowan, leader of Southend City Council

“I’d like to reassure the wider public that these were targeted attacks involving just a small fraction of the visitors to Southend yesterday.”

Train operator c2c said it is working with the police because a “large number of the individuals involved” in the violence travelled to and from the town on its services.

Daniel Cowan, leader of Southend City Council, said there had been a “large influx of young people”.

He went on: “Last night we saw some hugely upsetting incidents in our city, the likes of which I never want to see again.

“The actions of those involved were deplorable, disgusting and people intent on acting like this are not welcome in Southend-on-Sea.”

David Burton-Sampson, MP for Southend West and Leigh, wrote on Facebook: “The scenes we witnessed last night on Southend seafront and the city centre were deeply disturbing and I know have caused concern for many residents.”

Bayo Alaba, MP for Southend East and Rochford, posted on social media: “Some distressing scenes in my city of Southend last night. I drove around in the evening to see the issues.

“There are some active crime scenes but the disorder had ceased.”