Southend on Sea Borough Council

02/17/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 02/17/2026 08:14

Southend-on-Sea City Council supports Essex Police following armed robbery in Southend city centre

Cllr Martin Terry emphasised that incidents like this are extremely rare.

Southend-on-Sea City Council is supporting Essex Police following an armed robbery at a jewellery shop in Western Road, just off the High Street, that took place on Monday, 16 February 2026. The incident involved offenders using weapons, including a machete and axes, before fleeing the scene.

Southend City Council is supporting police with the current investigation. The Council's Community Safety Officers have stepped up high-visibility patrols in the town centre to reassure local businesses and visitors.

Cllr Martin Terry, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Regulatory Services, said: "This was a very serious incident, and I want to thank both Essex Police and our council teams for their swift response. Southend remains a safe city, and incidents like this are thankfully extremely rare. We will keep working closely with Essex Police and our local partners to ensure our city centre stays a safe and welcoming place for everyone."

The council encourages anyone with information to contact Essex Police on 101, or report anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Published: 17th February 2026

Southend on Sea Borough Council published this content on February 17, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on February 17, 2026 at 14:14 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]