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A “sustained and significant” policing operation is being launched across Southend to stamp out incidents of violence and stop a criminal few from impacting on the lives of our law-abiding majority.
The operation has been launched after a number of incidents of violence in the city over the last three months.
In many cases, charges have already been secured in relation to those incidents, with cases progressing through court.
Other investigations remain live, with teams of officers and staff continuing to work through them at pace.
Our response to two incidents which took place over the weekend in the city has resulted in four arrests being made, with targeted work ongoing to locate and arrest a number of other people who we’d like to speak to.
In one of those incidents, which took place at 1.40am on 6 October in Southchurch Road, Southend, we charged a man early this morning, Monday 7 October, with possession of a blade or pointed article and affray.
Claude Balaguette, 28, of Dorchester Way, Harrow, Middlesex, admitted both charges at Southend Magistartes’ Court and was remanded into custody for sentencing at Basildon Crown Court on 11 November.
Chief Inspector Dave Browning, Southend district commander, said:
“We’re launching a sustained and significant operation to stamp out incidents of violence in Southend – and to arrest and charge those who we believe to be involved in them.
“Throughout this time, there will heightened policing activity focused in the right places, on the right people and for the right reasons.
“In Southend, we have around 200 officers available to us over a 24 hour period, and they have a range of police specialisms which ensure offenders are identified and caught and have strong cases built against them. These 200 officers are supported by our detectives and other force wide specialist teams.
“Over the last three months, we have seen a number of incidents of violence in Southend and I know people are concerned. These are the actions of a criminal minority but those actions impact on the innocent majority.
“We do have experience in dealing with people who believe they can commit serious crime in our area. And when this has happened before, we have identified those involved, made arrests and ultimately secured charges and put them before the courts.
“We’re determined to use all the resources available to us to keep our city safe for everyone – except for criminals.
“I want to be clear, if you think you can come here, plan to commit crime or carry a weapon, you will be identified and you will be arrested – as Claude Balaguette can attest.”
The district commander added:
“Live facial recognition will be deployed across the city on numerous occasions as part of the operation and there will a significant police presence in key areas at all times of the day – some of which will be visible, some of which will not.”
Turning to the most recent incidents over the weekend, in Rayleigh Road, Leigh, and in Southchurch Road, Southend, Ch Insp Browning added:
“In Leigh, a man sustained stab wounds which are thankfully not considered to be life-changing or life-changing. Officers were on the scene within six minutes of the call coming in and one man was arrested.
“In Southchurch Road, as many will have now seen on a video widely circulating on social media, a number of brave members of the public were involved in an altercation with a man on a bike.
“Although I won’t comment directly on that incident, I would say that this shows the sentiment of our community; of good people who do not want weapons or the threat of serious violence in our city – but purely for safety reasons, I would never ask members of the public to intervene in such a potentially serious situation. Please – always call the police immediately in any situation such as this.
“I have also noted comments that police were not in the area to deal with that incident. A video of the incident does not show several response police officers arriving, again, within six minutes of being alerted to the incident and making an arrest. Subsequent work by a number of teams also led to a second arrest.
“These separate incidents are not being directly linked – but as with any investigation we will not hesitate to do so should the evidence guide us to that conclusion.”