Essex: Update on reports of planned disorder

Like other police forces across the country, we had officers prepared for potential planned disorder this evening, Wednesday 7 August.

Our officers were focused on key areas in Southend and Chelmsford.

In Chelmsford, officers reported no public order incidents whatsoever. They remained in the area throughout the evening to reassure the community.

In Southend, a group gathered in Hamlet Court Road shortly after 7pm. Officers engaged with the group and found no offences being committed and no threat or harm being posed.

As that group grew, a number of bystanders began to watch the first group from across the road, which may have made the total number of people involved appear greater than in reality.

Shortly after 8.30pm, a second group consisting of a small number of people did arrive in the area. Officers continued to speak with both groups throughout the evening and at no stage did we assess the situation as close to escalation.

People began to leave the area shortly after 9.15pm with no arrests with a direct connection to this operation having been made.

One man was arrested in the area shortly after 5.15pm on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon after he was searched by officers. He remains in custody.

Officers will continue to be visible across Essex this evening.

Assistant chief constable Andy Mariner said:

“We know there was information circulating which was naturally causing concerns among our communities. We were prepared and the upshot of that preparedness was that the situation was never at risk of escalating.
“Although a number of groups were present in Hamlet Court Road, officers continued to speak with them throughout the evening – and that meant all parties were aware of what would be acceptable to us – and what wouldn’t.
“I hope the reassurance we have provided – and delivered – for our communities shows our commitment to them.
“But the policing plan in place for this was only possible because of the dedicated officers involved.
“As chief officers, we never take this for granted; officers have made alternative childcare or care arrangements to be available to work tonight, they may have had other plans with friends and family but made themselves available to work – all because of their sense of duty to the Essex public and for that I thank them.”

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