A massive brawl involving 30 teenagers armed with bottles and knives left two people in hospital with slash wounds to their faces. Essex Police have since imposed a dispersal order following the incident on Friday evening.

A statement from Essex Police said: "Officers in Southend have tonight, Friday 1 May, placed a number of orders in place to keep the public safe and prevent anti-social behaviour.

"We were called at around 7.50pm this evening following reports of a large scale fight involving 30 young people on Southend High Street.

"During the incident weapons were seen and used, including bottles and knives, and two teenagers suffered knife wounds to the face. Both have been taken to hospital where they are receiving treatment, their injuries are not thought to be life threatening.

"Officers remain at the scene and are out in force as they continue to deal with the incident and restore order.

"To prevent any further incidents we have this evening placed the following orders in place:"

"A dispersal order has been put in place under Section 35 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act covering the areas of Southend High Street, Queensway through to Hamlet Court Road and the seafront.

"This allows our officers to disperse people to prevent harassment, alarm, distress or crime.

"An order has also been put in place under Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act to allow officers to search people or vehicle for offensive weapons without suspicion in the designated area.

"An order has also been put in place under Section 60AA of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act to allow officers to insist upon the removal of face coverings.

"Local officers will continue to patrol the area throughout the evening."