A TEENAGER has been charged with attempted murder in connection with the incidents of disorder in Southend city centre and seafront earlier this week. 

Six others are also accused of various offences following the incident on Tuesday which saw dozens of police on the seafront and MPs urging residents to stay away.

Essex Police say officers responded “quickly and robustly” to reports of people with weapons on the seafront on Tuesday evening (July 30).

Since then, the force adds,  there has been a very visible police presence which will continue throughout the weekend with officers at railway stations, the seafront, and city centre.

A spokesman added: “We are also deploying knife arches and OpenGate weapons detection system as well as specialist units such as police dogs.

“During our response to the incidents on Tuesday a number of weapons including a firearm were also seized.”

Eight people were arrested and seven have now been charged.
The eighth person arrested – a 16 year-old boy from Basildon – is currently in hospital.

Those charged are:

  • A 16-year-old boy from Canning Town has been charged with attempted murder, possession of a firearm with intent to cause serious injury, possession of a prohibited weapon in a public place, and violent disorder
  • A 14 year-old boy from Pitsea has been charged with violent disorder, wounding with intent, and possession of an offensive weapon;
  • A 16 year-old boy from Shadwell has been charged with violent disorder, wounding with intent, and possession of an offensive weapon;
  • Mekai Brown, 18, of Higham Road, Woodford Road, has been charged with violent disorder and wounding with intent;
  • Tyler Omo-Irogho, 18, of Clarendon Road, Watford, has been charged with two counts of violent disorder, wounding with intent, possession of an offensive weapon, and assaulting an emergency worker;
  • Michael King, 18, of Crescent Road, South Woodford, is charged with violent disorder and wounding with intent;
  • A 17-year-old boy from Stratford has been charged with violent disorder, wounding with intent, and possession of an offensive weapon

All seven are due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court tomorrow (Saturday 3 August).

A further dispersal order and Section 60 authority will be put in place tomorrow until Sunday ( August 4).

The Section 60 authority is an extension to stop and search powers meaning officers don’t require reasonable grounds to stop someone.

An additional power has also been authorised which means officers can require people to remove face coverings.

Earlier today Supt Leigh Norris, from Essex Police, said: “I want people to come to Southend and enjoy our wonderful city in the sunshine.

“If you’re coming to walk on the beach, stroll down the pier, dance in the fountains or have an ice cream in the sun, you are more than welcome.

“Southend is a really safe place to be and the incidents we saw on Tuesday are not common.

“However, we have information to suggest another incident event to that which led to the issues we saw is planned for Saturday and we are acting now to prevent disorder.

“My message is clear – if you’re planning to come to Southend to cause problems, don’t bother.

“We will have officers waiting to meet you at our railway stations and ensure you can’t come into our city.

“There will be a very visible police presence, as there has been this week, and we will be utilising tools like the knife arch and OpenGate weapon detection system.”