A notorious TikTok prankster was spoken to by police in Southend as a dispersal order was launched in the city.

Police issued a dispersal order in Southend yesterday as they became aware of crowds of youngsters planning a “beach party” on the seafront.

There was a significant police presence across the city throughout the day (August 10) as the dispersal order was put in place from midday for up to 48 hours.

Balaclava-clad yobs travelling into the city from London were sent home at Southend Central, while a 20-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly and assaulting a police officer, as the extra police powers came into force.

Notorious TikTok prankster Mizzy - real name Bacari-Bronze O'Garro - also claims he was issued with a dispersal order as he arrived on the seafront yesterday.

This came hours after he claimed on X he had been stopped and searched in Oxford Street on Wednesday (August 9) for “no reason” and issued with a dispersal order as dozens took part in a suspected TikTok-inspired raid of shops. However, Mizzy insisted in a video he had “nothing to do” with the raid.

The teenager, who appeared in court in May accused of entering a family’s home as part of a prank and posting the footage on TikTok without their consent, shared footage on X of him being spoken to by a police officer outside Adventure Island.

The dispersal order in Southend comes after a large disturbance last week which saw hundreds of teenagers descend on the seafront on the same day as Home Secretary Suella Braverman visited Leigh. 

Chief Superintendent Waheed Khan told the Echo yesterday TikTok has become a crucial tool for officers to cut off trouble before it starts, as police trawl through social media to pick up hints on yobs planning large gatherings.