Boy, 15, charged after street brawl leaves two teens with possible life-changing facial injuries

A 15-year-old boy has been charged after a "large-scale" street fight in Southend left two teenagers in hospital with knife wounds, police have said.

The boy, from north London, has been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and possession of a Class B drug, the force said on Sunday. He will appear in court next month.

Officers were called to Southend High Street at around 7.50pm on Friday, where a "large-scale" brawl involving about 30 youngsters was taking place. Weapons - including bottles and knives - were seen and used, police said.

The two wounded teens suffered injuries to their faces and are receiving treatment in hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

Extra police officers, who include staff from the force's dog units, have been sent to Southend to patrol the streets during the bank holiday weekend.

Dispersal orders were put in place on Saturday night for Southend High Street, Queensway through to Hamlet Court Road and the seafront.

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Police said the orders would allow officers to search people or vehicles for offensive weapons without suspicion and to disperse people.

Officers will continue patrolling the area, with the dispersal orders remaining in place until Sunday evening.

The force said detectives and officers are reviewing CCTV and mobile phone footage and are working to identify further suspects.

Southend Local Policing Inspector Penny McQuade said: "Our message is really clear to people - Southend is open for business and enjoyment but it is closed for crime and those wishing to cause trouble.

"The events of last night were completely unacceptable, two young people suffered potentially life-changing facial injuries while a number of others were hurt and those who witnessed it will no doubt have been frightened and concerned.

"We are not prepared to tolerate crime or anti-social behaviour and to this end we will continue investigating, arresting those responsible and patrolling the town to ensure it is safe and peaceful for our community to enjoy.

"We are really grateful to the community and businesses who called us really quickly and of course to the Southend Community Safety Unit who supported us throughout."

(c) Sky News 2026: Boy, 15, charged after street brawl leaves two teens with possible life-changing facial injuries