TRADERS, councillors and police have united to condemn claims Southend is a "no-go zone" after machete-wielding teens ran amok in the city.
National media claims the city was off-limits for visitors since mayhem descended on the city on July 30, when knife fights broke out among youths, many of whom are thought to have travelled from London.
Eight people were charged after the incident, including a 16-year-old accused of attempted murder and possession of a firearm.
Daniel Nelson, interim leader of Southend’s Conservative Group, dismissed any idea the city was not safe for families.
He said: “It’s a ridiculous, laughable comment made by people who clearly don’t come to Southend and are clearly trying to bad mouth it. I wouldn’t be surprised if someone from Brighton had written it.
“Frankly, it’s nonsense. I went to Southend seafront with my own family at the weekend to enjoy the sea and have a lovely time.
“At no point did I feel unsafe as 99 per cent of the year we do not feel unsafe. Essex Police have my full backing to do whatever they need to keep that thuggery away from Southend.
“We’ve had one incident and that incident is the result of London thugs, that’s all.”
Philip Miller, owner of Adventure Island, added: “We are in fact safer than Brighton, Bournemouth or Blackpool.
“The main stream news loves to keep people on the edge. It sells more advertising.”
Daniel Cowan, leader of Southend Council, also defended the city. Speaking on X, he said: “Whilst I can understand concern related to the incident at the end of July, the facts are that incidents like this are fortunately very rare.
“We cannot and will not let that incident define us as a place.”
It comes after Essex Police hit back at the claims.
Chief Supt Leighton Hammett said officers responded quickly and “robustly” to the violence, making “arrests within minutes”.
He said: “I completely and categorically reject the assertion that any part of Southend is a ‘no-go zone’,” he said in a statement.
“Thousands of people come to the city each and every week and have a fantastic time, enjoying everything it has to offer.”
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