Charlotte HughesA 15-year-old boy has been charged following a large-scale brawl on Southend's High Street on Friday evening that left two teenagers with knife wounds to the face. Essex Police immediately activated a dispersal order covering the High Street, Queensway, Hamlet Court Road, and the seafront — and the order remains in force as extra patrols continue across the weekend. If you live, work, or socialise in Southend right now, you may be wondering exactly what officers can do to you and, crucially, what your rights still are.
What Happened on Southend High Street?
Officers were called to the city centre at approximately 7:50pm on Friday 23 May 2026, responding to reports of a large-scale fight involving weapons. Two victims received knife wounds to the face, and a bladed weapon was seized from the scene. A boy aged 15 has since been formally charged in connection with the incident. Extra officers are patrolling the area and a dispersal order remains active while enquiries continue.
The incident comes just weeks after Southend-on-Sea City Council finished counting votes from the May 2026 local elections — elections that saw Labour hold its position as the largest party on the council with 17 seats, with 43% of voters turning out. Residents and newly-elected councillors alike will now be watching how the city's policing response unfolds.
Two Overlapping Legal Powers Are Now Active in Southend
Essex Police activated two distinct powers in response to Friday's violence. Understanding both is important for anyone in the area.
Section 35, Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 gives a police inspector the authority to direct people to leave a specified public area for up to 48 hours. It can be used where an officer has reasonable grounds to believe someone's presence has contributed, or is likely to contribute, to harassment, alarm, distress, or crime.
Section 60, Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 establishes a stop-and-search zone. Unlike ordinary stop-and-search, Section 60 removes the need for officers to have individual suspicion. Within the designated area, any person or vehicle may be searched for offensive weapons. This is a wide-ranging power, and knowing what it does and does not allow is essential.
4 Legal Rights You Keep Even Under a Dispersal Order
Being in an area covered by these orders does not mean surrendering your rights. Here is what the law preserves — even in a dispersal zone.
1. The right to know the reason for a direction.
Officers must have reasonable grounds to believe your presence is linked to, or could contribute to, disorder. They cannot direct you simply because you are young, are unfamiliar to them, or happen to be nearby. If a direction is issued under Section 35, you are entitled to politely ask the basis. Note the time, the officer's shoulder number, and what was said.
2. The right to a record of any stop-and-search.
Even under Section 60's broader powers, officers must give you their name and station, and must provide a written record of the search if you request it. The search cannot be intimate in a public space. Failure to follow these procedural requirements may render the search unlawful.
3. The right to challenge a wrongful arrest.
If you refuse a lawful Section 35 direction, you may be arrested. But if the original direction lacked a lawful basis, the arrest itself may be unlawful. Wrongful arrest is actionable: complaints can be made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), and civil proceedings are possible in serious cases. Evidence, including body-camera footage, must be preserved early.
4. The right to free legal advice before answering questions.
If you are detained or arrested, you have the right to free and independent legal advice before being questioned — regardless of age. Any person under 18 must also have an appropriate adult present during any police interview. Never waive this right.
Special Protections for Under-18s
Given that those involved appear to include teenagers, parents should be particularly alert. A Section 35 direction cannot lawfully send a child to a place that poses a risk to their safety. Any direction issued to a minor must be proportionate and in accordance with the Children Act.
Under the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (LASPO), the default principle for juveniles remains diversion wherever possible. A formal charge — as opposed to a caution or youth caution — is a serious outcome for a 15-year-old, carrying long-term implications for education, employment, and future DBS checks. Parents of any young person involved should seek specialist youth criminal law advice without delay.
According to Essex Police's official statement, officers continue to patrol the designated area and will act swiftly on any further incidents.
When Should You Speak to a Solicitor?
If you or a family member has been directed to leave the Southend area, stopped and searched, detained, or arrested in connection with these events, seek legal advice as quickly as possible. CCTV footage, body-camera recordings, and witness accounts are all time-sensitive. A specialist criminal solicitor can help secure evidence, advise on whether any police action was lawful, and represent you if charges follow.
For residents concerned about similar incidents elsewhere in England, our guide to anti-social behaviour dispersal orders and your legal rights explains how these powers have been used in other cities and what you can do if you believe you have been treated unlawfully.
Legal disclaimer: This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. If you or someone you know is involved in a criminal matter, consult a qualified solicitor immediately.
