BLADE PANIC
TikTok meet-up descends into horror machete brawl with hundreds charging across sea front – as 2 injured & 8 arrested
Watch the dramatic footage of the fight above
THIS is the moment a TikTok meet-up turned into a terrifying machete brawl as hundreds were sent fleeing.
A 16-year-old boy was among eight thugs arrested over a suspected gang battle involving the huge machetes on a popular seafront.
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Hundreds of youths descended on Southend-on-Sea in Essex for a beach party on Tuesday before tensions spiralled out of control.
Massive crowds had been enjoying the glorious sunshine as the mercury tipped 32C (90F) - the UK's hottest day of the year.
Pockets of violence erupted by the beach, with swathes of youths seen charging across roads after a TikTok meet-up turned sour.
Shocking footage shows tracksuit-wearing brutes hacking at each other with large blades, leaving onlookers scrambling away in fear.
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The disorder continued in the high street, with rampaging knifemen chasing each other and one seen brandishing a bloodied blade.
A local cafe worker, 23, told The Sun: “Once the police arrived a lot of the guys threw their knives in the sea. There were so many of them.
“The police spent this morning pulling them out.
“People come here every year for summer, but this was different, it was nasty. There’s more events planned and I think I will call in sick.”
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She said fighting continued off camera, with young women showing bruises after battering each other in alleyways close to the seafront.
One stab victim was airlifted to the Royal London Hospital and two more of those injured were detained by cops on a ward in Southend.
None experienced life-threatening injuries in the incident, which erupted just after 7pm, a senior cop said.
One suspect at the scene was arrested on suspicion of possessing a bladed article and causing grievous bodily harm.
Chief Superintendent Leighton Hammett said the youngest of those arrested over the violence was a schoolboy, 16, and the oldest was 26.
When asked about whether the knife battle - which saw seven weapons seized - was part of a gang war, he said: “That's one possibility that we're considering.
“We are still working on a number of inquiries.”
He added: “I need anyone who has any information to contact us.
“I know this incident will be concerning to people who live and work here and I understand your concerns.
“No one should be late to feel uncertain whilst enjoying our fantastic seafront.”
CS Hammett added: "There is intelligence about similar gatherings taking place over the next five days and we are preparing for those.
“We will take the learning from Tuesday and make sure we have that in place to keep people safe.”
The beach was markedly quieter yesterday (Weds) after this week’s mayhem.
One local security guard said: “There’s not as many people here because of last night. It’s put everyone off, just look around.”
An East of England Ambulance Service spokesman said: We received multiple 999 calls at approximately 7pm on Tuesday, with reports of a man having been stabbed in Southend.
“Due to the large-scale disorder unfolding in the city centre at that time, we dispatched several resources to the scene.
"This included two ambulances, two ambulance officer vehicles, four Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) vehicles, and the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance.
“One patient was airlifted to Royal London Hospital. Additionally, another patient was transported to Southend University Hospital by Essex Police.”
Labour leader of Southend City Council Daniel Cowan said there had been a "large influx of young people".
He said: "Last night we saw some hugely upsetting incidents in our city, the likes of which I never want to see again.
"The actions of those involved were deplorable, disgusting and people intent on acting like this are not welcome in Southend-on-Sea.
"We cannot tolerate this kind of behaviour and whilst I have received regular briefings on this, I have asked to meet senior colleagues at Essex Police for a full debrief which will consider what happened, the response and any lessons learned.
"I do also want to thank the council's community safety and transport safety teams and police colleagues who last night faced up to an intimidating situation, and also our CCTV team who ensured our teams on the ground and police colleagues had the right intelligence and information to deal with this."
Local MP Bayo Alaba said there was "a pattern" of people posting on social media about planned meet-ups on the beach.
Nigel Farage, the MP for nearby Clacton in Essex, said: "Machete fights in Southend. Our country is being destroyed, our values trashed and the public on the point of revolt."
The Sun has approached Essex Police for further information.
Last August saw major disorder in Southend after a party was advertised on TikTok.
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Cops were given temporary extra powers to disperse people.
Chaos also erupted on Oxford Street after mobs of youngsters swarmed roads and shops following coordination on the social media app.
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