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Police have charged seven teenagers following violent disorder on the Southend seafront earlier this week. The boys, aged between 14 and 18, face various charges, including attempted murder.
Officers were called to the seafront on Tuesday evening after reports of individuals carrying weapons, according to Essex Police. Eight people were arrested, and seven have now been charged. None of the suspects are from Southend.
The charges include attempted murder, violent disorder, and possession of a firearm with intent to cause serious injury. The eighth person arrested, a 16-year-old boy from Basildon, is currently in hospital. Several weapons, including a firearm, were seized by police.
Those charged are:
- A 16-year-old boy from Canning Town, charged with attempted murder, possession of a firearm with intent to cause serious injury, possession of a prohibited weapon in a public place, and violent disorder.
- A 14-year-old boy from Pitsea, charged with violent disorder, wounding with intent, and possession of an offensive weapon.
- A 16-year-old boy from Shadwell, charged with violent disorder, wounding with intent, and possession of an offensive weapon.
- Mekai Brown, 18, of Woodford, charged with violent disorder and wounding with intent.
- Tyler Omo-Irogho, 18, of Watford, charged with two counts of violent disorder, wounding with intent, possession of an offensive weapon, and assaulting an emergency worker.
- Michael King, 18, of South Woodford, charged with violent disorder and wounding with intent.
- A 17-year-old boy from Stratford, charged with violent disorder, wounding with intent, and possession of an offensive weapon.
All seven are due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Saturday.
In response to the violence, a further dispersal order and Section 60 authority have been put in place until Sunday. This extends stop and search powers, allowing officers to stop individuals without reasonable grounds. Additionally, officers can now require people to remove face coverings.
On Friday, police received information about an “unauthorised event” planned for Saturday, similar to the one that led to the recent disorder.
Superintendent Leigh Norris commented: “I want people to come to Southend and enjoy our wonderful city in the sunshine. If you’re coming to walk on the beach, stroll down the pier, dance in the fountains or have an ice cream in the sun, you are more than welcome. Southend is a really safe place to be, and the incidents we saw on Tuesday are not common.
