Overview
- Three men attacked Alex John Jewellers on Weston Road around 10:15am on Monday, causing substantial damage with reported use of a machete and an axe.
- Footage shows the suspects, dressed in dark clothing, fleeing in a red Mitsubishi after confrontations with street rangers and bystanders.
- Two men from Birmingham, aged in their 30s and 40s, were arrested in Bedfordshire and remain in Essex Police custody for questioning.
- Store staff were left traumatised but said security held firm and nothing was stolen during the attempted raid.
- Southend-on-Sea City Council increased high-visibility patrols to reassure businesses, as recent reporting highlights a wider uptick in jewellery shop raids across the UK.