TEENAGERS from “out of town” were seen using drugs and boozing on Southend seafront before chaotic scenes broke out and a police officer was assaulted. 

Saturday was the hottest day of the year so far and seafront traders insisted there was a “good-natured atmosphere” throughout the day. 

However, violence broke out along the seafront at roughly 9pm when an officer on patrol sustained several injuries, to his knee and head, after being punched.

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A teenage girl, from London, was then arrested on suspicion of assault on an emergency worker. She has since been released on bail while enquiries continue.

A source close to the Echo claimed it was a large group from out of town “using drugs and drinking”.

The officers from Operation Union who were on patrol allegedly approached to the large group after it became heated between two teenage girls.

An officer was later struck in the head, before the teenage girl was then “tackled down” by other officers.

Paul Thompson, owner of Pebbles One, said: “It is a concern.

“I think this is the first major incident we have had along the seafront this year.

“But hopefully it is an isolated one and that the police will be able to intervene at the earliest opportunity going forward for the rest of the summer.”

Martin Richardson, owner of the Happidrome Arcade, said: “It was just everything and nothing at the same time.

“There was a quite large group of people, and one of the cars was playing loud music. A bit like a normal party atmosphere.

“It got a bit heated, and one girl decided she wanted to take it too far. An officer was then struck in the face, before the girl was then taken down to the floor.

“It seemed like a very isolated incident. A couple of silly girls that started amongst themselves, so it doesn’t seem too much of a cause for concern.

“Overall, it was a good natural atmosphere down on the seafront across the weekend. Just one isolated, silly incident.

“But there was a hard and fast reaction, so after this, I hope people see you can’t come to Southend and play up.”