A MAN is in custody after a fight involving a "machete" in Southend city centre in the early hours with officers to conduct patrols in the area over the following days.

An assault took place on Southchurch Road next to Warrior Square shortly after 12.15am this morning, with a group of individuals being seen with a number of weapons including a knife and a machete. 

Essex Police officers were on the scene within ten minutes and one man was sent to hospital after suffering injuries which were not life-threatening or life-changing.

The man who was taken to hospital, 32, from Coventry, has since been arrested on suspicion of affray - when one or more people fight in a public place including brandishing weapons - and remains in custody for questioning.

Essex Police's enquiries are ongoing around Southend today and they continue to maintain a visible presence in the area.

Specialist officers within the force's Serious Crime Directorate will be leading the investigation and officers will be conducting patrols throughout the coming days.

Chief Inspector Paul Hogben said: “I would ask anyone who may have information about this incident, or concerns, to please get in touch with us as soon as possible.

“We take incidents of this nature very seriously and the Southend community can expect a robust response and investigation.

“We have a dedicated team conducting the investigation into this incident and we will issue updates as we progress.”

Anyone with information should contact Essex police on the bottom right of their homepage at www.essex.police.uk or alternatively, call 101.

Please cite incident 15 of 15 September.

From September 24, it will be illegal to own zombie-style knives and machetes as the bladed articles are added to the list of illegal weapons which currently includes zombie knifes.