Deputy Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner responds to Southend disorder 30.7.2024

Deputy Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Jane Gardner, comment following disorder in Southend on the 30.7.2024.

“Knife crime and gangs are a blight on our communities. The outrageous behaviour of the groups who visited Southend last night was appalling and it is right the police took the robust enforcement action they did. Having been fully briefed by the Chief Constable I am pleased that this robust approach is continuing with extra officers on patrol and a number of arrests already being made.

“We need tighter legislation to get these dangerous knives off our streets, especially so called “zombie knives”. The definition of “zombie knives” was successful tightened earlier in the year with additional powers for the police to seize and destroy knives found on private premises due to be introduced in the Criminal Justice Bill. This work now needs to be picked up by the current government.”

To find latest operational updates please visit the Essex Police website below.

Southend: Eight arrested and weapons seized | Essex Police