Large groups were broken up dozens of times and arrests were made after a dispersal order was issued in Southend yesterday.

Police who patrolling the city centre and seafront throughout the day yesterday (August 10) used a dispersal order 27 times to break up large groups and arrested three people.

The order was put in place at 12pm on Thursday in response to a "beach party" which was planned to take place in the city.

It gives officers the power to direct people suspected of acting anti-socially to leave the area. And if they don’t, they could be arrested.

Two teenage boys were arrested on suspicion of failing to disperse. One boy was issued with a community resolution and left the area.

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One of the boys was also further arrested on suspicion of a possession of an offensive weapon. He has been released under investigation.

A third person, a woman, was arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly and assaulting an emergency worker.

Sian Turner, 20, of Fairfax Drive, Westcliff, has been charged with being drunk and disorderly and assaulting an emergency worker. She is due to appear at Southend Magistrates’ Court on September 4.

The dispersal order remains in place until 12pm tomorrow (August 12) and police have now confirmed an additional 24-hour dispersal order will be in place when the first order expires. It will cover the same area.

Chief Superintendent Waheed Khan, who oversees policing in Southend, said: “There is evidence that the dispersal order, alongside the proactive policing plan we had in place, prevented a large gathering in the city yesterday.

“Officers worked incredibly hard to ensure anyone visiting Southend seafront for what was an ideal summer’s day did so safely and enjoyed themselves.

“The powers afforded to us in a dispersal order were used 27 times and, in the vast majority of cases, those involved complied and left the area. On a few occasions, officers made arrests.

“This policing operation will continue into this weekend. As I’ve said before, we want people to come to Southend, to use its brilliant attractions and businesses, but we want them to do it safely and without committing crime.

“If anyone believes they can come here and be threatening, be antisocial or commit crime, they’re mistaken. They’ll be arrested.”