Police charge seven teenagers in connection with Southend seafront violence
Boys aged 14 to 18 face charges including attempted murder after disorder earlier in week
Police have charged seven people after violence and disorder on the Southend seafront earlier this week.
Officers were called to reports of people carrying weapons on the seafront on Tuesday evening, Essex police said.
Eight people were arrested and seven had now been charged, all aged from 14 to 18 and none from Southend.
The charges include attempted murder, violent disorder and possession of a firearm with intent to cause serious injury.
The eighth person arrested, a 16-year-old boy from Basildon, is in hospital.
A number of weapons including a firearm were seized, police said.
Those charged are:
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A 16-year-old boy from Canning Town, charged with attempted murder, possession of a firearm with intent to cause serious injury, possession of a prohibited weapon in a public place, and violent disorder.
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A 14-year-old boy from Pitsea charged with violent disorder, wounding with intent, and possession of an offensive weapon.
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A 16-year-old boy from Shadwell charged with violent disorder, wounding with intent, and possession of an offensive weapon.
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Mekai Brown, 18, of Woodford, charged with violent disorder and wounding with intent.
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Tyler Omo-Irogho, 18, of Watford, charged with two counts of violent disorder, wounding with intent, possession of an offensive weapon, and assaulting an emergency worker.
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Michael King, 18, of South Woodford, charged with violent disorder and wounding with intent.
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A 17-year-old boy from Stratford charged with violent disorder, wounding with intent, and possession of an offensive weapon.
All seven are due to appear at Chelmsford magistrates court on Saturday.
A further dispersal order and Section 60 authority was being put in place on Saturday until Sunday. The section 60 authority is an extension to stop and search powers, meaning officers do not require reasonable grounds to stop someone. An additional power has been authorised that means officers can require people to remove face coverings.
On Friday, police said they had received information about an “unauthorised event” planned for Saturday “similar” to the one that led to the disorder.
Supt Leigh Norris said: “I want people to come to Southend and enjoy our wonderful city in the sunshine. If you’re coming to walk on the beach, stroll down the pier, dance in the fountains or have an ice cream in the sun, you are more than welcome.
“Southend is a really safe place to be and the incidents we saw on Tuesday are not common.”
He said police were acting in advance to prevent further disorder.
“My message is clear – if you’re planning to come to Southend to cause problems, don’t bother. “We will have officers waiting to meet you at our railway stations and ensure you can’t come into our city.
“There will be a very visible police presence, as there has been this week, and we will be utilising tools like the knife arch and OpenGate weapon detection system.”
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