Southend: Four arrests and enquiries ongoing after disorder

UPDATED: Wednesday 18 September 1.30pm

A team of detectives and officers continue to investigate an incident of violence in Southend and are issuing a renewed appeal for anyone with information to come forward.

Southend’s district commander, Chief Inspector David Browning, is ensuring heightened patrols and a continued visible policing presence remain in place in the city centre.

This follows an incident in Southchurch Road in the early hours of Sunday 15 September.

A total of four people have so far been arrested as part of our enquiries.

A 32-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of affray, remains on bail whilst our enquiries continue.

Two men, aged 19 and 24, and a 17-year-old boy, all from Southend, have been questioned on suspicion of GBH.

The 24-year-old and 17-year-old have since been released on bail, with stringent monitoring conditions attached, while our work continues.

The 19-year-old will face no further action in relation to this matter.

The team’s ongoing work includes a deployment of our innovative live facial recognition technology in Southend across the coming days.

Answers may lie in the community

Chief Inspector Browning said:

“As the team continue to build on their investigation, I will be continuing to keep my officers in Southend, watching over and engaging with residents, visitors and businesses throughout the city.
“I know the vast majority of the people of Southend are decent, law-abiding people who want to see us stamp out incidents of this nature.
“The actions of a criminal minority do not reflect the Southend I know and recognise.
“I would continue to reassure you we are taking this matter extremely seriously and are dedicating our resources both to progressing our investigation and preventing a repeat of the scenes we saw over the weekend.
“We’re still really keen to hear from anyone who either witnessed this incident, or who may have information which could assist our team.
“We know there is a likelihood someone in Southend knows the identities of those involved, and I would appeal directly to them.
“This was a serious incident of disorder involving weapons which, on another day, could have resulted in serious injury or death. Assisting someone you know to have been involved could constitute a serious criminal offence in itself.
“There are ways of getting information to us without speaking to the police or even giving your identity, and I would urge you to consider helping us in our work keeping Southend safe.”

If you would like to make an anonymous report you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers, by visiting their website or by calling 0800 555 111.

Anyone with information should contact us as soon as possible.

You can let us know by submitting a report online or by using our Live Chat service. 

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UPDATED: Monday 16 September 1.45pm

An investigation into an incident of disorder in Southend on Sea has led to the swift arrest of three people and we continue to appeal for witnesses to come forward.

Shortly after 12.15am on Sunday 15 September, we were called to reports of an assault in Southchurch Road.

As a result of ongoing work, led by detectives within our Serious Crime Directorate working together with local officers, three arrests were made this afternoon (Monday 16 September).

Two men, aged 24 and 19, and a 17-year-old boy, all from Southend, are being questioned on suspicion of assault occasioning grievous bodily harm.

A 32-year-old man, from Southend, previously arrested on suspicion of affray, has since been released on bail while our enquiries continue.

Investigation ongoing

Detectives are making progress with our investigation and anyone working in or visiting Southend today will see our officers throughout the city.

We have also updated residents and local people about the work we are doing to make the city even safer.

Chief Inspector David Browning, Southend District Commander, said:

“Anyone who thinks they can come to our city and attempt to commit crime is wrong, and can expect to be arrested.
“We are well aware of footage circulating which shows part of an incident in the very early hours, just after midnight on Sunday morning.
“What that footage doesn’t show is the multiple arrests made in the hours that followed.
“This investigation is being led by experienced detectives within the Essex Police Serious Crime Directorate.
“This team has been working around the clock and we would continue to appeal for anyone who may have further information to come forward.
“I’m proud of the ongoing work by the force, the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, the Youth Offending Service, Probation Service, the city council and others to tackle crime and the quick action in this case shows that no-one can come to Essex and expect to get away with criminal behaviour.
“We are continuing with our hotspot patrolling to prevent crime – and we know that this work, combined with the fast response to the incident at the weekend, does help to make our community safer.
“That’s why so far this year knife crime in Essex has fallen by 5% when compared with pre-Covid levels.”

Sunday 15 September

An arrest has been made and an investigation is progressing after an assault in Southend.

We are investigating reports of an assault in Southchurch Road shortly after 12.15am on Sunday 15 September.

Our officers were on the scene within ten minutes.

It was established a group of individuals had been involved in a fight, with a number of weapons seen.

One man suffered injuries and received hospital treatment, though his injuries are not life-threatening or life-changing.

This man, 32, from Southend, has since been arrested on suspicion of affray.

He remains in custody for questioning.

Our enquiries are ongoing around Southend today and we continue to maintain a visible presence in the area.

Specialist officers within our 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.”

Wider work to keep Southend safe

Under Operation Union this year, we’ve made more than 75 arrests and carried out more than 230 stop searches, with more than 40 percent leading to illegal items being discovered, and we’ve seen violence and anti-social behaviour reduce.