Two teenagers in hospital after large brawl in Southend

Two teenagers are in hospital with face wounds and another has been arrested after a large brawl involving at least 30 people and weapons. Essex Police were called to Southend High Street at about 19:50 BST on Friday. Weapons, including bottles and knives, were used and two teenagers had knife wounds to the face, which the force said were not thought to be life-threatening. Officers have been given the power to search people and vehicles for weapons and insist on the removal of face coverings. A dispersal order for large part of the city centre and seafront is also in place. A 15-year-old boy was taken into custody after being arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm. The force said the orders, made using the Criminal Justice & Public Order Act and the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime & Policing Act, were to "keep the public safe and prevent anti-social behaviour". The order allowing police to search people will be in force until 20:45 on Sunday. The dispersal order covers the area of Southend High Street, Queensway and the seafront, stretching north to Southchurch Road and London Road, west to Hamlet Court Road and east to Lifstan Way. Extra officers will be deployed on S