Shoppers in Southend High Street were shocked as a violent disturbance broke out at around 5.30pm yesterday, leaving two men seriously injured and causing damage to a local business.
Witnesses described seeing multiple police vehicles and ambulances flood the area in response to the attack.
Officers arrived to find two men with serious injuries. Both received urgent medical attention from paramedics before they were taken to hospital.
While their injuries have been described as serious, police have confirmed they are not life-threatening.
The altercation also resulted in damage to a number of shops in the high street including the the Fone Zone, though it’s unclear whether the business was directly targeted or if it suffered collateral damage in the altercation.
Essex Police have since launched an investigation. At this stage they believe the attack was an isolated incident involving individuals known to each other.
Southend District Commander Chief Inspector Dave Browning moved to reassure the public, stating: “I want to reassure the community that we are treating this as an isolated incident. We believe the people involved are known to each other and our enquiries are progressing at pace.
“Our local officers were at the scene of yesterday’s incident within seven minutes, and you will see our officers patrolling today. Please come and talk to us if you have any concerns or information.”
He also issued a warning to anyone engaging in criminal behaviour in Southend: “I want to be clear to anyone who comes to our city and behaves in this way, there will be consequences, and any criminal behaviour will be dealt with swiftly.”
However, local resident Dan Smith criticised what he sees as a lack of police presence and growing lawlessness in the city centre: “There’s an absolute lack of police presence. There were at least 12 middle-aged drunks hanging around outside Big News 5 and the Warhammer shop, and the council and police do f**k all to help. There’s massive Class A issues, massive homeless and prostitution issues on York Road. Look at the closing shops, look at the creed of filth that dredge the centre of town. The 15 mopeds at any given time opposite McDonald’s with Armenians crowded around on Uber Eats and Deliveroo backpacks on. It’s just all sh*t now.”
Christine Boynett echoed concerns about crime, saying she has avoided the area entirely for years after a frightening experience: “Every week it’s happening. I’ve not been to Southend High Street for three years now, as last time I was approached by a gang on bikes which scared the life out of me. It was early afternoon, so yes, I was shocked.”
Police are urging anyone who saw the incident or has relevant footage to come forward. Anyone with information is asked to contact Essex Police, quoting incident 0844 of February 8. You can reach Essex Police via their website or by calling 101.
Photos by Vince Godwin.