Officers recovered a number of weapons after a dispersal zone was launched yesterday afternoon in response to teens celebrating end of exams.

British Transport Police (BTP) conducted patrols with Essex Police in Southend yesterday around Chalkwell beach as teenagers celebrated the end of their exams.

Their patrols resulted in four weapons being recovered from the railway and beach.

Read more >>> Everything we know about the dispersal order in Southend

A spokesman for BTP in Essex said on Twitter: "Yesterday with EP Southend we conducted joint patrols around Chalkwell beach due to lots of children meeting up to celebrate the end of their exams.

"The safety sweep we conducted recovered 4 weapons from the railway and beach."

The order ran between 3.40pm yesterday and 8am today covering Old Leigh, Chalkwell Beach and esplanade, and the cinder path linking the two areas.

Essex Police says the order was put in place in response to a group of individuals entering the area who were suspected to be intent on causing disorder.

Patrols were ramped up as an inspector at the Southend Community Policing Team also added many young people were expected to be out along the seafront after the end of their exams.