A BLAZING row erupted between a group of yobs outside an Asda store, with a knife brandished during the heated argument.

Passersby, who were outside the store on Frobisher Way, Shoebury, say a machete “as long as an arm” was spotted during the chaos which unfolded on Saturday night. 

Essex Police were called around 10.30pm with reports three teenagers, who eye-witnesses say were sitting outside on a bench drinking, were arguing before a knife was seen.

And when officers attended, a number of teenagers were spotted leaving the area. 

Despite their best efforts, the team searched the surrounding areas - including Shoebury Road - but were unable to track down any suspects.

No arrests have been made and their enquiries continue.

Outraged Southend mayor, John Lamb, has slammed the group for not only meeting during a national lockdown, but also putting lives in danger by carrying such a weapon.

He said: “This is absolutely disgraceful. I’m so disgusted especially given all the issues we’ve had with knife crime in recent times.

“This shouldn’t be happening at all, nobody should be brandishing any weapon in a public place - especially not where customers are nearby.

“Police need to come down as hard as they can on this, and courts need to use the law to the max extent. The young lives that could end up being lost doesn’t even bare thinking about, it’s dreadful. This could cause a lot of pain for families.

“There is never a valid excuse. If this falls into the wrong hands, people could be killed.”

Shoebury councillor Nick Ward, added: “We are still in a lockdown, so this is bad enough without a weapon being involved.

"Nobody is meant to be meeting friends, and especially not to do this.

“If you’re flashing such a dangerous weapon about in an argument things could of course go horribly wrong. It’s not safe for them, residents, nor the shoppers nearby.”

A spokesperson from Essex Police, said: “We were called with a report of three teenagers arguing and a knife being seen in Frobisher Way, Shoebury, shortly after 10.30pm on Saturday.

"We attended the scene and a number of teenagers were seen leaving the area.

"We searched the surrounding areas, including Shoebury Road, but no suspects could be located.

"No arrests have been made and our enquiries continue.

"The teenagers are described as white, aged in their early teens and were wearing black or dark-coloured clothing and beanie hats.

"Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information on it should submit a report online at https://www.essex.police.uk or use the 'Live Chat' button to speak to an online operator between 7am-11pm.

"You can also call us on 101 and cite incident 1449 of Saturday March 20.

"Information can also be given to independent charity Crimestoppers 100 per cent anonymously on 0800 555 111 or https://crimestoppers-uk.org."