Police operation launched in Southend over violent incidents

As part of this new operation, live facial recognition will be used across Southend on numerous occasions and there will be a significant police presence in key areas at all times of the day, with police saying some will be visible but others will not.

The operation was launched after a series of violent incidents in the city over the past three months, including two at the weekend

Essex Police’s response to these incidents has resulted in four arrests, with targeted work being done to locate and arrest a number of other people officers would like to speak to.

In one of these incidents, which occurred on Southchurch Road in Southend at 1.40am yesterday, officers charged a man with possession of a blade or sharp object and affray earlier today.

District Commander – Chief Inspector Dave Browning (Image: Essex Police)Chief Inspector Dave Browning, Southend district commander, said: “We are launching a sustained and significant operation to disrupt incidents of violence in Southend – and to arrest and charge those we believe are involved.”

“During this period there will be increased policing activity focused on the right places, on the right people and for the right reasons.

“We have around 200 officers available to us in Southend for around 24 hours. They have a range of police specializations that ensure that criminals are identified and caught and that convincing cases are brought against them. These 200 officers are supported by our detectives and other cross-force specialist teams.

“Over the last three months we have experienced a number of violent incidents in Southend and I know people are worried. These are the actions of a criminal minority, but these actions impact the innocent majority.

“We have experience dealing with people who believe they can commit serious crimes in our area. And when this has happened before, we have identified those involved, made arrests and ultimately brought charges and brought them to justice.

“We are committed to using every resource at our disposal to keep our city safe for all but criminals.

“I want to be clear: If you think you might come here, plan a crime or carry a weapon, you will be identified and arrested.”

Deployment – ​​Police officers in Eastwood (Image: Essex Police)

In light of recent incidents over the weekend, the district commander has urged residents not to share videos circulating on social media of an incident in Southend town center.

Ch Insp Browning added: “Several brave members of the public were involved in an altercation with a man on a bicycle on Southchurch Road, as many have now seen on a video circulating on social media.

“While I will not comment directly on this incident, I would say that this shows the mood of our community; from good people who don’t want guns or the threat of serious violence in our city – but for safety reasons alone, I would never ask the public to intervene in such a potentially serious situation. Please always call the police immediately in such situations.

“I would urge anyone thinking about sharing this video not to do so. This is essentially a live investigation where a number of targeted lines of inquiry are pursued.

“I have also noted comments that police were not on site to deal with this incident. Video of the incident does not show multiple police officers arriving within six minutes of being alerted to the incident and making an arrest. Subsequent work by multiple teams also led to a second arrest.

“These individual incidents are not directly related – but as with any investigation, we will not hesitate to do so if the evidence leads us to that conclusion.”