POLICE officers made four arrests after the latest incident involving unruly young people at West Thurrock's Lakeside shopping centre.

Thurrock Nub News has reported recently on a number of incidents at the retail and leisure centre, among them two attacks on people in early January, and a 14-year-old boy assaulted and his bag stolen.

Last night (Thursday, 8 February), police received reports of a large-scale disturbance involving a group of teenagers at the centre shortly after 8.05pm.

This included reports of individuals assaulting security staff and stealing alcohol from a shop.

Officers were at the scene by 8.10pm, making enquiries with security staff and making several arrests.

During the course of making these arrests, officers and security staff were assaulted, although suffered no serious injury.

A 15-year-old girl, two 14-year-old girls and a 13-year-old girl, all from Basildon, remained in custody today (Friday, 9 February) for questioning on suspicion of offences including common assault, assaulting an emergency worker and theft.

Chief Inspector Tony Atkin, Thurrock district commander, said: "This incident involved punches and kicks being thrown at officers and staff.

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"We take reports of anti-social behaviour and shop theft very seriously, as our quick response to this incident proves.

"My officers are never complacent about the importance of protecting businesses at Lakeside Shopping Centre and supporting security staff.

"Security staff are often first on the scene, but they contact us directly via Shop Safe radio which means we can react quickly to incidents across the Lakeside centre.

"Lakeside is a tight-knit community and it's the working relationships we all have which means we are able swiftly to identify people of interest and make quick arrests should a crime occur.

"We all want the same thing: to ensure people are safe at Lakeside whether they come here to work, shop, eat or have a night out.

"Assaults on security staff and police officers will not be tolerated and we will take action to ensure those who commit these offences are brought to justice."

A police statement added: "If you have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us.

"Please quote incident 1106 of 8 February.

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"You can let us know by submitting a report on our website where you can use our online Live Chat service available Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) between 10am-9pm.

"Visit https://www.essex.police.uk/digital101to find out more about our website reporting services. Alternatively, you can call us on 101.

"If you would like to make an anonymous report, you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers on X, formerly Twitter, at @CrimestoppersUK, by visiting their website or by calling 0800 555 111."