ORGANISERS of a community event held in Southend over the weekend have praised officers for helping attendees feel “safe, secure and confident” after fears were raised in the wake of violent scenes in the city.

The Sierra Leone Family Fun Day has been held in the city for seven years, with members of the Sierra Leone community travelling from across the UK to enjoy a day on the seafront.

Ahead of this year’s event, concerned organisers got in touch with police after hundreds of young people turned up to Southend for an unofficial "beach party" last week which saw machete fights between gangs, fires set and Greggs looted.

Organiser Michael Mansaray revealed some attendees were "terrified" ahead of the family fun day after these upsetting scenes. However, officers remained in close contact with the organisers of the Sierra Leone community event to ensure they felt safe.

Police chat with families at the event on Southend seafrontPolice chat with families at the event on Southend seafront (Image: Essex Police)

Mr Mansaray said: “It was an absolutely unbelievable day, it went very well.

“Some of those attending and involved were understandably terrified ahead of the event because of what happened on Tuesday.

“We were receiving a lot of calls about whether the event should still go ahead, but we saw no reason to not proceed.

“We have a wonderful relationship with the council, we’ve had no issues in the past and there is no connection between our event and the disorder we saw in Southend last week.

“We’re not troublemakers, this was a family-focused event held in a place we love and where we are welcomed.

“We have a very good relationship with Essex Police and we felt very well supported and informed.

“We received quite a few phone calls from the Inspector, Jane Childs, and the engagement from the police made us feel safe, secure and confident in going ahead.”

 

Eight people have since been charged in connection with Tuesday's incidents, after reports of people with weapons on the seafront.

Inspector Jane Childs, of Southend's community policing team, said: “We are very keen to repeat the important fact that Southend remains open for business for all of those who want to visit and enjoy all that our wonderful city has to offer.

“There was no reason to keep this important community event from going ahead. The actions of those committed to causing disorder should not ruin things for the law-abiding community.

“Southend is a welcoming place for people of all cultures and backgrounds, and welcomes tourists and visitors from across the country.

“This event has long been held at the seafront and my officers really enjoyed engaging with visitors on the day, answering concerns and ensuring the event went ahead without issue.”