Leigh Lot and O Block gang members banned from large parts of Southend

The fifteen yobs - five boys from the Leigh Lot and ten boys from O Block - are part of gangs which have been linked to drug dealing, violence and anti-social behaviour.

Police are also investigating possible links between the gangs, based in Southend and Rayleigh, and a violent incident in which a man died and another suffered life-changing injuries after a disturbance in Southend in August last year.

In addition, the force are investigating possible links between include the murder of Lee Chapman in Southend on March 6 2020 and the murder of Luke Bellfield in Leigh on February 26 this year.

Violence between the groups has mainly been borne out of rivalry with each other and has escalated in the last year.

Although these gangs generally aim their violent behaviour at each other, members of the public have also been victims of crime and impacted by their anti-social behaviour.

Detective Inspector Scott Fitzmaurice, of Operation Raptor South - which applied for the injunctions - has assured police will use every power available to target and dismantle such gangs, who “not only cause misery for law-abiding communities but also prey on vulnerable young people.” 

He said: “They entice younger members into a dangerous lifestyle on the basis of false promises of money, a sense of belonging and status.

“But the reality is they will be subjected to violence and later on down the line will go on to exploit new members again in the same way they were exploited.

“These court orders aim to not only prevent them from causing harm and nuisance to others, but also to steer them away from dangerous situations where they can come to harm, and to give them the opportunity to reflect on what direction they want their lives to go in.”

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They have been banned from entering areas including Southend High Street, including the Royals, Leigh Library Gardens, Old Leigh, the Warrior Square Park or car park, Chalkwell Park, Chalkwell Beach/Esplanade, and Rayleigh High Street - unless accompanied by a parent or youth worker.

The injunctions, granted at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on April 14 and April 16, will last until June 3 and June 4.

An application to extend the injunctions beyond that date will be considered, while a power of arrest was also granted, meaning police can arrest those who are found to be breaching conditions.

Essex Police has prosecuted a number of individuals, some of whom are currently going through the courts or are being investigated.

Carl Robinson, director for public protection for Southend Council, said: “Violence and anti-social behaviour in any form is unacceptable, particularly when it involves young people caught up in gangs, often involving the sale and use of drugs, violent incidents with weapons and exploitation.

“I thank Essex Police and all agencies involved for proceeding with these injunctions to help keep our residents safe and well.”