SIX people have been arrested and weapons have been seized in the ongoing incident on Southend seafront involving a "large influx" of young people.
Disturbing footage on social media showed at least four people dressed in black brandishing large knives in Marine Parade near the Adventure Island theme park.
Police have been deployed on Southend seafront this evening as a "large influx of young people" descended on the city, reportedly for a beach party advertised on TikTok.
Chief Supt Morgan Cronin said: "We have a large number of officers in the city centre, who have already seized a number of weapons and made quick arrests following these incidents.“
As the events unfold, police have tonight been given authority to use special stop and search powers as the ongoing serious incident on Southend seafront continues to unfold involving a "large influx of young people".
At 9.35pm tonight (Tuesday), Essex Police said a Section 60 dispersal order, which gives officers’ authority to exercise powers of stop and search, is in place on the Southend seafront.
This order, under Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, follows incidents of disorder on the seafront and High Street of Southend this evening (Tuesday July 30).
Six people have been arrested in connection with this disorder, Essex Police said, as MPs urged people to keep away from the seafront.
Section 60 powers allow a constable in uniform to stop and search any pedestrian or anything carried by them, any vehicle, its driver and passengers, for offensive weapons or dangerous instruments.
The order covers the areas in the map below such as Marine Parade, Pier Hill, High Street, Western Esplanade and both the city’s train stations. It will remain in place from 8pm today (Tuesday July 30) will remain for 24 hours until 8pm onWednesday July 31.
Chief Supt Cronin, from Essex Police, said: “We want to make sure our communities are safe and we will use all the appropriate powers at our disposal to do so.
“Our officers have responded to these incidents reported by members of the public this evening, and the information they provided is invaluable.
“I would also like to thank the vast law-abiding majority of the public for their co-operation today.
“But we know there are other witnesses to these incidents who may have important details to share.
“We will have a visible presence in Southend this evening and tomorrow – if you know something, please speak to one of our officers or contact us to help.”
An Essex Police spokesman added: "If you have any information or dashcam footage of disorder in the city centre at about 7pm, please contact us quoting incident number 1094 of Tuesday 30 July.
"You can let us know by submitting a report on our website or by using our online Live Chat service which is available 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week.
"It can be found at the bottom right of our homepage at www.essex.police.uk.
"Visit www.essex.police.uk/digital101 to find out more about our website reporting services.
"Alternatively, you can call us on 101. "
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