Machete-wielding youths fought in front of families on Southend seafront, one witness said, as it was confirmed one man was stabbed, eight have been arrested and seven weapons were seized.
Videos shared on social media appeared to show hooded young people brandishing large knives in broad daylight near the Adventure Island theme park and in the high street on Tuesday evening.
Nicola Tiney, who runs the Borough Hotel on the seafront, told the PA news agency that she believed around a thousand young people descended on the resort town, many from London , in an organised meet-up during the hot and sunny weather.
Ms Tiney said groups began arriving in the afternoon, before pockets of violence and disorder started at around 7pm.
She went on: “Lots of them had their hoods up and were wearing masks and hats, just coming to the seafront resort to cause trouble.
“They congregated at the other end of the seafront and they started kicking off amongst themselves and running around…there were machetes out in the middle of the road.
“I had to get all of my customers in from the front, it was just disgusting.
“I didn’t see anyone get hurt but you could see the machetes flying about at each other and then lots of them ran off down the beach with families around, I think one of them threw their machete into the sea.
“Towards the town centre they were fighting with knives and machetes as well, and it’s just them amongst themselves, it’s nothing to do with Southend.”
These incidents are appalling – we will not tolerate this dangerous and violent behaviour on our streets
Chief Superintendent Leighton Hammett
Ms Tiney also described seeing large groups running in the area “like a herd of bulls”, stopping traffic as they went.
Two of the people detained were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening or life-changing injuries, Essex Police said.
An East of England Ambulance Service spokesman said at around 7pm it received reports that a man had been stabbed.
One patient was transported by air to Royal London Hospital , while another patient was taken by police to Southend University Hospital.
Another person was discharged at the scene.
In one specific incident at about 7.40pm, an assault with an offensive weapon was seen by security staff and members of the public in Marine Parade, the police force said.
I’d like to reassure the wider public that these were targeted attacks involving just a small fraction of the visitors to Southend yesterday
Chief Superintendent Leighton Hammett
One suspect at the scene was arrested on suspicion of possessing a bladed article and causing grievous bodily harm.
Essex Police said it believes the conflict occurred within groups of young men and women who had travelled to Southend.
The force has put a Section 60 dispersal order in place, which gives officers powers to exercise stop and searches.
Section 60 powers allow a constable in uniform to stop and search any pedestrian or anything carried by them, any vehicle, its driver and passengers, for offensive weapons or dangerous instruments.
Essex Police said the order covered Marine Parade, Pier Hill, High Street, Western Esplanade and both the railway stations in the city and will remain in place until 8pm on Wednesday.
The actions of those involved were deplorable, disgusting and people intent on acting like this are not welcome in Southend-on-Sea
Daniel Cowan, leader of Southend City Council
Chief Superintendent Leighton Hammett said: “These incidents are appalling – we will not tolerate this dangerous and violent behaviour on our streets.
“We responded quickly, with officers already deployed on the seafront and arrests made to keep the public safe.
“We have multiple lines of inquiry to identify more suspects and bring them to justice.
“Early indications are groups of young men and women have travelled into Southend and the conflict has occurred within these groups.
“I’d like to reassure the wider public that these were targeted attacks involving just a small fraction of the visitors to Southend yesterday.”
Some distressing scenes in my city of Southend last night. I drove around in the evening to see the issues. There are some active crime scenes but the disorder had ceased
Bayo Alaba, MP for Southend East and Rochford
Train operator c2c said it is working with the police because a “large number of the individuals involved” in the violence travelled to and from the town on its services.
Daniel Cowan, leader of Southend City Council, said there had been a “large influx of young people”.
He went on: “Last night we saw some hugely upsetting incidents in our city, the likes of which I never want to see again.
“The actions of those involved were deplorable, disgusting and people intent on acting like this are not welcome in Southend-on-Sea.”
David Burton-Sampson, MP for Southend West and Leigh, wrote on Facebook: “The scenes we witnessed last night on Southend seafront and the city centre were deeply disturbing and I know have caused concern for many residents.”
Bayo Alaba, MP for Southend East and Rochford, posted on social media: “Some distressing scenes in my city of Southend last night. I drove around in the evening to see the issues.
“There are some active crime scenes but the disorder had ceased.”
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