Ten teenagers have pleaded guilty to violent offences in Southend and now await sentencing following the strength of the cases officers built against them.
On July 30 last year, officers responded within minutes of reports of people with weapons on the seafront, swiftly arresting several men and boys aged between 14 and 18. Now, following a plea hearing at Basildon Crown Court on Monday 28 April, a tenth and final teenager has admitted his role in the violence.
Teen Gang Admit 24 Crimes
Between the ten defendants, they have pleaded guilty to 24 offences including ten counts of violent disorder, six counts of possession of a bladed article, four counts of conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm and one count of assaulting an emergency worker. All ten defendants will be sentenced at Basildon Crown Court the week commencing 14 July 2025.
Southend District Commander, Chief Inspector Dave Browning, said:
“Responding to the criminal actions of a small number of people in Southend last summer, among thousands of people trying to enjoy the good weather, required a huge co-ordinated response from my uniformed officers.
We told those intent on coming here to commit crime that they would be dealt with. I can repeat the same message today, with these ten men and boys now waiting to hear their sentences.
We’re confident, and the figures show, incidents of disorder and violence remain rare in Southend. But one incident is too many and we’re always alert to such reports.
Where incidents arise, we will act and we will use powers available to us to protect the public.
I am glad to welcome everyone to our city again this summer to visit the seafront, but be in no doubt that if you come here to commit crime, our officers will be waiting, you will be arrested and you will face justice.”
Relentless Police Work Pays Off
Detective Chief Inspector Louise Metcalfe, the senior investigating officer in this case, added:
“My team reviewed hundreds of hours of CCTV, carried out interviews with many witnesses to the incidents, and forensically analysed weapons and clothing seized from the suspects themselves.
It is no surprise to me, having seen our case, that these suspects saw no other option than to plead guilty.
I hope their sentencing will send a clear message to others thinking of bringing the same kind of disorder to our county and our city.”