Essex Police have charged a 15-year-old boy from north London after a large-scale knife fight involving approximately 30 youths erupted in Southend. The violent brawl took place on Southend High Street at 7.50pm on Friday and left two teenagers with knife wounds, raising concerns about youth violence in the seaside town.
The teenager faces charges of assault causing actual bodily harm and possession of a Class B drug. He is due to appear at Basildon Magistrates’ Court on June 22. Authorities are treating the incident with seriousness due to the number of youths involved and the use of weapons.
Police responded quickly to the disturbance on Southend High Street, attending the scene as violence broke out in the busy area. Two teenagers sustained knife wounds to the face, but their injuries are not life-threatening. Both victims were taken to hospital for treatment.
In a separate development, a 12-year-old girl from Southend was arrested on Saturday on suspicion of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and violent disorder. She has since been released on bail while police continue their enquiries into the disturbances.
To maintain public safety over the bank holiday weekend, Essex Police have implemented a dispersal order covering Southend High Street, Queensway, Hamlet Court Road, and the seafront. This order, effective until 8pm Sunday, allows officers to disperse groups to prevent further disorder.
Additionally, a Section 60 order has been put in place, permitting searches for offensive weapons without suspicion until 8.45pm Sunday. The police have also deployed live facial recognition cameras to help identify potential offenders during this period.
Originally published by UKNIP.
