30 teens wielding bottles and knives in brawl as police look to ‘restore order’ | UK | News

In the big brawl involving 30 young people armed with bottles and knives, two people were taken to hospital with cut wounds on their faces. Essex Police issued a dispersal order following the incident on Friday evening.

A statement from Essex Police said: “Officers in Southend issued a number of orders tonight, Friday 1 May, to keep the public safe and prevent anti-social behaviour.

“We were called at around 7.50pm this evening following reports of a large scale fight involving 30 young people on Southend High Street.

“Weapons, including bottles and knives, were seen and used during the incident, and two young people were injured in the face with a knife. Both of them were taken to hospital and treated, and their injuries are not considered to be life-threatening.

“Officers remain at the scene and continue to deal with the incident and maintain order.

“To prevent further incidents, we have implemented the following orders this evening:”

“A dispersal order has been put in place under Section 35 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act, covering the areas from Southend High Street, Queensway to Hamlet Court Road and the seafront.

“This allows our officers to disperse people to prevent harassment, alarm, distress or crime.

“In addition, an order has been put in place under Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act allowing police officers to search people or vehicles for offensive weapons in a designated area without suspicion.

“An order has also been put in place under Section 60AA of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act allowing officers to insist on the removal of face masks.

“Local officers will continue to patrol the area throughout the evening.”