A group of teenagers who travelled from London to Southend intent on violent disorder have been jailed.
The 10 males, aged between 15 and 10, descended on the seafront on July 30 last year, armed with machetes, fighting and terrifying people.
They started arriving in the town by train in the early afternoon and by 7pm violence and disorder had begun.
CCTV cameras saw them gathering in side streets in the town centre, away from people, Essex Police stated.
They then united and went on a rampage, leaving at least two people with serious injuries.
Nicola Tiney, who runs the Borough Hotel on the seafront, stated they were ‘like a herd of bulls’ running through the town, stopping traffic and fighting with knives and machetes.
She stated: ‘Lots of them had their hoods up and were wearing masks and hats, just coming to the seafront resort to cause trouble.
‘I had to get all of my customers in from the front; it was just disgusting. I didn’t see anyone get hurt, however, you could see the machetes flying about at each other, and then lots of them ran off down the beach with families around. I think one of them threw their machete into the sea.’
Several of them were arrested at the scene and others were detained over the following months.
This week, 10 of them admitted violent disorder and and weapons offences at Basildon Crown Court.
Chief Superintendent Chris Bradford stated: ‘Last summer, a small group among thousands of law-abiding visitors thought they would bring disorder to Southend.
‘They have now faced the consequences of their reckless and dangerous actions.’
Detective Chief Inspector Louise Metcalfe stated: ‘While there are others outstanding for their role in last year’s disorder, we will be looking for them.’