Southend violent crime linked to 'small groups' of criminals

Southend’s new district commander, Chief Insp Dave Browning, has stopped short of branding the “groups” gangs, but has insisted that all those involved are on Essex Police’s radar and are known to the force.

While admitting the criminal activity seen across the city is troubling, Mr Browning remains confident it is a “really small minority” who do not meet Essex Police’s criteria to be termed as “gangs”. 

Crackdown - Chief Insp Dave Browning (Image: Essex Police)

In an exclusive interview with the Echo, he said: “We have always had knife violence in the county, there has always been that element, but it is more prevalent in Southend as it is a seaside city.

“It is the perfect storm of everything. Train lines into the city, it is a seaside resort, loads of pubs and clubs, a high density of people. It is the perfect storm of things to happen.Violence - Incident in Southchurch Road (Image: Handout)

“We think these people that are responsible is a criminal few, there is not many, they have maybe had a bit of a turf war to try and own a certain area.

“I know the perception is that we have got gangs in the streets of Southend, but personally we see them as associates.

“We go through a process where we score them to see what grade they meet, so whether they are organised crime groups, or gangs, and they don’t meet those criteria.

Tougher - Patrols in Southchurch Road (Image: Essex Police)

“The groups of people we see that are responsible, are a really small minority, but it is quite impactive. “That is something we need to stamp out.”

Mr Browning also admitted that some of the incidents are drug related.  

To combat this, Essex Police have deployed specialised drug teams.

Southend resident Lesley Taylor said: “I am terrified to go out in the evening in Southend and will not use the high street due to fear of what we have seen in the city 

“But, the new proposals, and tougher crackdown, do sound really good.”