Police say city's violent disorder was 'regrettable'

A dispersal order is in place following large groups fighting in Southend-on-Sea on Tuesday night

A police force has said violent disorder that saw one man stabbed and eight people arrested in a seaside city was "regrettable".

Essex Police brought in a section 60 dispersal order in Southend-on-Sea until 20:00 BST on Wednesday, following large groups of people fighting on the city's beach front on Tuesday.

Ch Supt Leighton Hammett said anyone "intent on committing crime and disorder" would be dealt with "quickly and robustly".

"What happened last night, no one wanted to happen," he added. "It was regrettable, and we’re going to work really hard to make sure it doesn’t happen again."

Essex Police Ch Supt Leighton Hammett said 40 officers were involved in the reponse

Ch Supt Hammett told the BBC the incident was "unprecedented in terms of how quickly people came here and how quickly the disorder happened".

"That wasn’t something we were expecting, but we reacted very quickly to keep the public safe," he added.

Essex Police said there would be an increased number of officers on patrol in Southend on Wednesday evening and Thursday.

"I know people will be worried about what happened last night but Southend is a really safe place and disorder like that is not common here," Ch Supt Hammett said.

Essex Police is appealing for anyone with information to contact the force

Local traders have told the BBC they tried to inform police about a large group heading towards the city seafront.

"I’m sorry they feel let down," Ch Supt Hammett responded.

"We are trying really hard to strike that balance of people coming to enjoy themselves, and for us to keep people safe.

"We had information passed but it certainly wasn’t information passed around drugs or weapons being brought in here.

"That’s something I need to work with them [the traders], to make sure the information gets through."

Officers were called to a disturbance on the seafront at 19:00 BST on Tuesday

More than 40 officers were involved in dealing with the disturbance, which began at around 19:00 BT on Tuesday.

The force confirmed the group on the seafront were between 16 and 26 years old.

One of the eight people arrested was taken to hospital.

"Thankfully his condition is now stable. We will be speaking to him when he’s medically fit enough," said Ch Supt Hammett.

Essex Police is appealing for anyone with information or dashcam footage of the disorder to contact the force on its website or call 101, quoting incident number 1094.