TERRIFYING footage captures machete-wielding youths squaring up outside a theme park – before six people were arrested.
Chaotic scenes erupted in Southend-on-Sea in Essex last night as police issued a dispersal order and weapons were seized.
Footage shared on social media shows a group of thugs in hoodies swinging the big knives at each other – with Adventure Island immediately behind them.
Cops are then seen arriving as the fighters flee.
Bumper crowds had been enjoying the blazing sunshine on the seafront with temperatures reaching 32C – the UK’s hottest day of the year.
Further footage shows as hundreds of people fled the area towards the high street to avoid the violence.
Police issued a Section 60 dispersal order at 4.20pm, and it remains in place until 8pm today.
Much of the choas was under control by 1.pm, with additional police patrols remaining in the city overnight.
The order allows a constable in uniform to stop and search any pedestrian or anything carried by them, as well as vehicles, for offensive weapons.
It covers Marine Parade, Pier Hill, High Street, Western Esplanade and both the city’s train stations.
Police officers were also attacked in the city centre, according to a reporter for Your Southend.
Chief Superintendent Morgan Cronin said: “We want to make sure our communities are safe and we will use all the appropriate powers at our disposal to do so.
“Our officers have responded to these incidents reported by members of the public this evening, and the information they provided is invaluable.
“I would also like to thank the vast law-abiding majority of the public for their co-operation today.
“But we know there are other witnesses to these incidents who may have important details to share.
“We will have a visible presence in Southend this evening and tomorrow – if you know something, please speak to one of our officers or contact us to help.”
Daniel Cowan, Labour leader of Southend City Council, said there had been a “large influx of young people”.
Writing on social media as the chaos unfolded, he said: “I’m urging calm and encouraging people to avoid Jubilee beach this evening as Essex Police deal with a large influx of young people.
“It’s a developing situation that CCTV and the police are monitoring and more police resources are en route to support the dispersal order that is in place.”
The Sun has approached Essex Police for further information.
