Southend dispersal order: Four arrests made for weapons and assaults

Two arrests for possession of an offensive weapon were made at Southend Victoria train station, under the Section 60 powers.

One arrest was made for assault and an assault on an emergency worker who was kicked to the leg at Southend Central train station.

While a fourth arrest was made after officers witnessed a male discard an item in bushes before running off.

Officers located and seized a knife, and shortly afterwards, the male was stopped and arrested by Op Union officers.

The dispersal order and Section 60 authority were put in place following information about an unauthorised event which may have led to disorder.

Both orders covered the entire Southend City area, south of the A13, including railway stations and transport hubs.

Community - Essex Police said they wanted to thank the work of officers on patrol this weekend (Image: Essex Police)

Detective Chief Inspector Ian Hughes, who led the response, said: “A large amount of planning went into yesterday’s policing operation which saw an effective and robust use of the additional policing powers that had been authorised in advance.

“It assisted officers to ensure that those who came to Southend to commit crime would be identified, searched and arrested.  

“The success of the operation led to a family-style atmosphere along the seafront and High Street areas, which is what we want Southend to be known for.”

Action - Essex Police at Southend seafront this weekend (Image: Essex Police)

Meanwhile on Saturday, eight people - aged 14 to 18 - were charged in connection with incidents of disorder in Southend on Tuesday July 30

This included a 16-year-old boy - who cannot be named for legal reasons - who was charged with attempted murder.

The prosecution at Chelmsford Magistrates Court also said in court that a machete and large knife were spotted with other weapons being seized.

A dispersal order gives officers the powers to direct people who cause or are suspected of causing crime and anti-social behaviour to leave an area or face arrest.
While a Section 60 authority is an extension of stop and search powers we already use.

This order allows officers to stop someone without reasonable grounds and due to this, police forces have an obligation to tell the public where it’s in place, when, and for how long.