Nine arrested in Southend policing operation
A dispersal order is in place
Police are continuing to maintain a significant policing presence across Southend, after an increased number of visitors to the city.
A dispersal order is currently in place across much of the district and officers are working closely with our partners to disrupt anybody travelling here to commit crime.
They will be dealt with robustly, to ensure everyone is safe and can carry on with their plans.
A large number of extra officers have been deployed in Southend – they are here in response to information and vital intelligence received from members of the public.
Nine arrested
Using dispersal order powers, officers have already turned 250 people away at the railway stations and used section 60/60AA search powers to stop and search 29 people.
Officers are here for everyone’s safety. Come and talk to them if you have any concerns or information.
They are working with the British Transport Police and the council’s CCTV operators, to track down and arrest anyone committing criminal offences.
Police have made nine arrests, including one for possession of a bladed article and others thanks to the deployment of Live Facial Recognition (LFR) technology.
There is a lot of commentary and misinformation across social media, please check Essex Police official channels for reliable information and share these with your family and friends.
The dispersal order is in place until tomorrow (Thursday).
The area covered by the order, shown on the map, includes all of the Southend district south of the A13, as well as several areas in the city centre north of the A13.
This area includes the Leigh-on-Sea, Chalkwell, Westcliff, Southend Central, Southend East, Thorpe Bay, Shoeburyness, Prittlewell and Southend Victoria train stations, including their platforms, concourses, ticket halls, forecourts and exits.