City’s Machete Fights

SPECIAL orders giving police more powers to stop and search were put in place across Leigh, Chalkwell, and Southend following disturbing scenes of machete fighting on the seafront.

 The incident occurred in the afternoon of Tuesday July 30, where men fighting with machetes on Southend Seafront near Adventure Island resulted in eight arrests.

 A high police presence has been patrolling the seafront since then, with Essex Police launching a Section 60 order, which remained in place until Friday, August 2.

 This order meant that police have the right to stop and search individuals in the area without the usual grounds for suspicion that would normally be needed for a regular stop and search. 

 Police assured the public these powers would be “used responsibly by the teams”, adding: “This is one of many tactics we are using in Southend to keep people safe. We will use all the appropriate powers at our disposal to do so.” 

 The incident has led former Southend West and Leigh MP Anna Firth to demand a summer amnesty on so-called zombie knives.

 “We are seeing an epidemic of knife crime on our streets. The legislation is there, the powers are there. The government needs to get on with it,” she said.

 Anna Firth previously lobbied the government to close a loophole in the law that made the knives legal.

 The Home Office has since confirmed that the amnesty would start at the end of August this year.

 During her time as MP, Ms Anna Firth was successful in securing funding for Essex Police to buy knife poles, similar to airport security wands.

 She said: “The knife detector poles are specially designed to monitor people arriving by train to stop anyone carrying weapons before they reach our streets.”

 Alongside the Section 60, order, Police officers were present at Chalkwell and Leigh stations, alongside the knife poles.

 In light of the reported events, rail firm c2c also released a statement confirming it is supporting Essex Police as well as British Transport Police in their investigations, in refence to individuals coming to Southend using the train line service.

 Essex Police have stated that the investigation into the disorder is “progressing at pace”. 

 They confirmed eight people were arrested and seven weapons seized during the incident, with arrests in connection with numerous offences including violent disorder and possession of offensive weapons.

 The force was also granted more time to question the people arrested by the courts and interviews were continuing at time of writing. 

 Detective Insp Alison Hooper, who is leading the investigation, added: “This extension allows us to continue our enquiries into the incidents of Tuesday night. 

“It is a complex investigation with a number of moving parts to work through. 

“We still need anyone with information to contact us.”

 Anyone with information should calll Essex Police on 101.

Picture: The area that section 60 covers Pic Essex Police

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