Southend knife-wielding criminals warned by police

After a series of violent incidents sent shockwaves through the city in recent weeks, Southend district commander Dave Browning insisted the force knows who the criminals involved are and is ready to take action. 

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

A new “taskforce” has been created this week and a group of police officers - undercover and visible - have been tasked with finding those involved and keeping tabs on individuals already arrested. 

A number of arrests have been made and strict bail requirements put in place, including curfews, bans on certain areas of the city, and tough rules.

Knives - Machetes in Southchurch Road in September (Image: Handout)

Chief Insp Dave Browning said: “The high visibility will be increased for a sustained period, the same with the taskforce. Not just until it ‘dies down’, but until it is not causing the most harm.

“I want these groups to fear that we will come knocking on their door.

“If we need too, we will be knocking on doors, carrying raids, executing warrants, stop checks, and searches.

“Some of that the public will see, but there is a lot of work going on in the background they won’t, with plain clothed officers, CCTV, community safety wardens. A very small minority should be worried."

Patrols - 'No where to hide' (Image: Essex Police)

The stern warning from Essex Police comes just a week after a “sustained and significant operation” was launched in a bid to stamp out incidents of violence. 

This followed a series of violent incidents including a stabbing on Rayleigh Road, Eastwood, on October 5 and a machete being seen in a brawl in the early hours of October 6 in Southchurch Road.

Proactive - Martin Richardson, owner of Happidrome Arcade (Image: Newsquest)

Weeks earlier, shocking footage circulated social media of of thugs armed with knives fighting in Southchurch Road. 

Councillors and businesses in the city have been quick to praise the latest measures from the force. 

Martin Terry, councillor responsible for community safety, said: “I totally welcome and fully support what Essex Police are now doing.

“We need this zero-tolerance approach to this type of violence. These criminals need to know there is no place to hide.

“These people now need to be very nervous. This is a clear statement.”

Martin Richardson, owner of the Happidrome Arcade, added: “A proactive approach, not reactive approach, will help. We need to be more like foreign police, where we don’t take no rubbish.”