Photos and videos show crowds filling Southend seafront this evening as residents are urged to "keep away" with police issuing a dispersal order.
Multiple police and and ambulance crews have been in the centre of Southend this evening dealing with the incident.
Unverified reports suggest Adventure Island has shut its gates, knives have been seen and a pub and numerous shops apparently locked their doors amid fears for safety.
Videos on TikTok, seen by the Echo, shows crowds of young people near Jubilee Beach.
Tonight, Bayo Alaba, Labour MP for Southend East and Rochford and David Burton-Sampson, MP for Southend West and Leigh, said: “We are aware of the ongoing incident in Southend City Centre.
“A dispersal order is currently in place.
“We encourage all residents to keep away from the area for the time being. Essex Police will provide more information in due course.
“This dispersal order gives police officers the power to direct people suspected causing anti-social behaviour and disorder to leave the area or face arrest.”
The dispersal order was issued at 4.20pm today and will remain in place until 4pm tomorrow.
Southend Council’s Labour leader said it was a “developing incident”.
He said: “I’m urging calm and encouraging people to avoid Jubilee Beach this evening as Essex Police deal with a large influx of young people.
“It’s a developing situation that CCTV and the police are monitoring and more police resources are en route to support the dispersal order that is in place.”
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