Southend: Two men questioned about incident on Southchurch Road

Essex police officers have made two arrests as part of an investigation into “breaking up groups” which police believe are involved in violent incidents.

Officers patrolling Southend spotted a person of interest yesterday, October 11, who they believed was breaching a community protection notice.

After watching video surveillance, officers noticed the person trying to hide from them.

They located the person and arrested him.

An 18-year-old was arrested on suspicion of four counts of breaching a community protection warning and GBH with intent following an incident in Southend on September 15.

Live facial recognition was used in Southend following a shocking machete attack on September 15.

Horrifying – Pictures showing a machete fight on Southchurch Road on September 15th (Image: Provided) Separately, officers also attended a speech on Southchurch Road yesterday and arrested a 19-year-old man on suspicion of assault.

Both men are being questioned about an incident on Southchurch Road on October 6.

Officers were called to the street at around 1.40am on October 6 following reports of an incident involving a group of people.

Officers attended and a man was arrested less than an hour later.

Residents reported seeing a man “walking around with a huge knife.”

Nighttime disturbance which took place on Southchurch Road in Southend on October 6th (Image: Public video material) Video footage taken by a citizen showed a group of about ten young men dressed all in black fighting and trampling on another young man.

Police have already made arrests in connection with this incident.

Detective Chief Inspector Rachel Jeffery said: “These arrests are clearly significant progress in our response to a number of violent incidents in Southend.

“And also shows the value of the targeted work we do in the city.

“We are not blind to the community concerns that exist in light of these incidents, but I want to continue to reassure our community that we are working resolutely to combat violence in all its forms.”

“In fact, five people are due in court this morning, Saturday October 12, on drug-related offences.

“Although this investigation is not directly linked to these violent incidents, we know that the supply of illegal substances can unfortunately involve serious violence.

“We not only target the people we believe have been involved in violence, but also people we believe are likely to be involved in violence.

“I have no doubt that officers’ actions in recent days will have prevented further incidents of serious violence.”

The two young men remain in custody for questioning.