A TEENAGER has been charged with assault and possession of a weapon following an incident in Southend.

Essex police responded to reports of an incident in the Southchurch Avenue area at around 6.35pm yesterday (Monday, October 18).

Officers carried out a search of an area and stopped and arrested a 19-year-old man.

Laith Edwards, of Pleasant Road, Southend, has since been charged with possession of an offensive weapon, assault by beating, and destroying or damaging property.

He is due to appear at Southend Magistrates’ Court on November 1.