Chaos in UK city as huge brawl ‘with bottles and knives’ leaves two injured | UK | News
A massive brawl broke out in Southend on Friday night as youths “armed with bottles and knives” caused chaos. The disorder broke out on Southend High Street at around 7.50pm on Friday, with witnesses reporting a large group of at least 30 people fighting in the street.
Some of those involved were allegedly armed with knives and bottles, prompting emergency services to intervene quickly. Essex Police confirmed officers were called to the scene following reports that a gun had been used during the incident. During the violence, two young people were injured in the face with a knife. It was stated that the injured were not life-threatening and both of them continued their treatment in the hospital.
Following the incident, officers invoked emergency powers to prevent further disturbances.
The measures include stop and search powers for both individuals and vehicles, as well as the power to require people to remove their face masks.
A dispersal order was also implemented across a wide area of the city, from Southend High Street and Queensway to the waterfront. The area extends north to Southchurch Road and London Road, west to Hamlet Court Road and east to Lifstan Way.
Essex Police said additional powers were introduced to “keep the public safe and prevent anti-social behaviour” following the outbreak of violence.
The force confirmed the measures were introduced under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act and the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act.
Officers remain in the area as investigations into the circumstances surrounding the mass fight continue.
