HUNDREDS of teenagers caused a chaotic "war zone" on Southend seafront as businesses were forced to close early.

Videos and pictures show gangs running amok along Southend seafront in “scary” scenes - on the same day Home Secretary Suella Braverman visited Leigh.

Traders say they were forced to close early yesterday and compared the chaos to a “war zone” as disorder broke out.

Trouble began in the afternoon as residents claimed hundreds of teenagers arrived at the city on trains.

Witnesses described seeing the majority of teens with “black mouth coverings” and “balaclavas”. 

The huge incident comes while the Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, “joined a patrol” in Leigh to hear about crime crackdown.

One witness, who wishes not to be named, described the scenes they saw.

They said: “It was terrible. Police were everywhere and there were hundreds of young teenagers.

“Most were wearing black mouth coverings and black balaclavas.

“The High Street was dreadful from them coming here on the train.

“I was just driving along the seafront, but there was no way I was stopping. It was too dangerous.

“Even though there were many police cars, on foot, and vans, there was no where near enough to cope.

“It was frightening. It was really bad.”

Essex Police has been contacted for comment by the Echo. 

More to follow.