BALACLAVA-clad yobs were sent packing by police after travelling into Southend from London.

This afternoon - as police patrolled across the city to prevent trouble - officers were tipped off that a group of youths were set to travel from London to Southend Central arriving at 2pm.

Police met them at the station before taking their details and sending them back to London - before they even left the station.

It came as a dispersal order was put in place across large parts of the city - starting at midday today and lasting 48 hours.

Paul Thompson, owner of Pebbles One Café in Marine Parade, commended officers for their swift and diligent work.

He said: “I just spoke to a sergeant who confirmed that the youths were set to arrive at around 3.30pm and they were stopped immediately.

“This sort of action is very positive and although it is good, it is what we expect from the police.”

The dispersal order is set to run for at least 48 hours and could extend into the weekend as police crackdown on large groups of youths causing trouble in the city.

Essex Police have launched Operation Union which will see officers liaise with Southend Council, British Transport Police and business owners.

The group meet weekly to discuss handling of anti-social behaviour in the past week as well as looking forward to potential incidents.

Mr Thompson added: “I think it’s quite a good set up, when these people get on the trains at Stratford or wherever, there’s communication.

“Transport police will then liaise with Southend Police so we know they are coming.

“With the dispersal order in place, police can get to whichever station ahead of time and turn them back.”

Martin Richardson, owner of Happidrome Arcade on Southend Seafront, added: “It’s good that they’ve got that dispersal order in.

“It’s a shame that we’ve resorted to using dispersal orders to make these children understand that their hijinks are unacceptable.

“Although there was no violence last week, it’s just the sheer optics of large groups running around the seafront

“The seafront is for families to feel safe and enjoy, it’s not for idiots.”