SOUTHEND fell into chaos when gangs of youths stormed the city, resulting in two stabbing blows amid allegations of heated battles along the coast.
On Friday, two men were stabbed in a series of fights.
One was left with stab wounds to his neck and stomach after being attacked with a zombie knife at the Marine Parade around 8 p.m.
He was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Bloody knife at the scene
Another man had stab wounds and was treated by paramedics on the spot.
Beach businessman Paul Thompson claims police have lost control of crowds gathered along the Eastern Eplanade by 4 p.m.
“It was anarchy. “It’s the first hot day of summer and the police have lost control of the Southend coast,” he said.
One gets help
“Gangs of young people were taking large amounts of weed, laughter gas and other drugs. There were thousands of people and battles were happening everywhere, but I could count the number of police officers on one hand. ”
Mr Thompson was forced to close two of his businesses – Pebbles One Café and the Spar supermarket – to send staff home to keep them safe.
The Ye Olde Fish and Chip Shop, also owned by Mr Thompson, was closed and turned into a temporary relief station, with paramedics patching up victims of the ongoing violence.
An Essex police spokesman said officers had been diverted from other areas of Southend over the weekend.
Police have given officers more powers to stop and search suspects in response to the chaos at sea.
Police are also using a dispersal order that gives officers the power to direct people suspected of causing or likely to cause riots to leave the area.
Speaking on Saturday, Essex Police Chief Inspector David Miles said: “We will continue to use all police powers to make Southend safer – this includes section 60 and dispersal orders. We will take action against anyone who intends to cause harm, and we have made arrests in connection with the robbery and seizure of a knife last night.
“Investigations into a number of incidents are ongoing. I want to be really clear – we will go out in cash and we will not tolerate people who pose a risk to society, and if you are thinking of coming to Southend and creating problems, think again.
Essex police are urging witnesses to come out.
If you have any information, you can submit a report online at www.essex.police.uk or use the Live Chat button to talk to an online operator between 7:00 and 23:00.
Please cite incident 1371 of 17 June.
You can also call 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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