BALACLAVA-clad gangs acting like “packs of animals” on Southend seafront forced business to shut early, according to traders who reported more chaos in the city.

Three teenagers were arrested in Southend on Sunday evening - including two for assaulting an emergency worker - as Essex Police launched a dispersal order following two incidents of “disorder”.

Martin Richardson, owner of the Happidrome Arcade, was forced to close his business early and claimed that chaos started when teenagers refused to remove their balaclavas after being told to do so by officers.

Police also stated an “incident” in Southend High Street took place shortly before 8pm, but were unable to provide further information.

Mr Richardson said: “I believe it started over something trivial, someone being asked to remove their balaclava, but this is the problem we have got at the moment, this new world generation they are tinder box, it doesn’t take a lot for their attitude to change.

“It is something so simple that sets people off, gives them a right to start mass brawls and fights and mindless attacks on officers.

“They come in like packs of animals, get thrown out somewhere, then it starts another, fight.

“We then have to shut early and we should not have to keep shutting our businesses early.”

The dispersal order covered the majority of the city centre including the High Street, Marine Parade and the wider seafront.

Despite the order, Essex Police is confident the weekend was largely a success with no “major” incidents.

Inspector Paul Hogben, of the Southend Community Policing Team, said:

“We expected the weekend to be very busy in Southend, given the warm weather which was anticipated and because it was the first weekend of the school summer holidays.

“I’m glad to say that Saturday and Sunday passed off largely without any serious incidents. 

“We were called to Adventure Island to assist them in dealing with a small disturbance. Officers were on the scene within minutes.

“We also received a report of a large group of people congregating in High Street.

“As a result, a dispersal order was authorised. Thankfully, the evening then passed off without incident and no additional arrests were required in the city centre.”

A spokesman for Essex Police added: “We received reports of a disturbance at Adventure Island shortly after 8pm on Sunday night.

“Our officers arrived and three people were arrested.

“Two girls from London, aged 14 and 16, were arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker. They have been given community resolutions.

“A boy from London aged 17 was arrested on suspicion of assault. He has been released under investigation.

“Separately, an incident involving a number of people was reported to us in High Street shortly before 8pm.

“No arrests have been made in connection with that incident and our enquiries are ongoing.”