A LEAKED letter shows the police originally expressed serious concerns about locating a drug addict centre in Southend town centre before giving it their support.

The Echo has received a copy of the letter by Southend police which states Clarence Road is the wrong place for a treatment clinic and needle exchange service by provider Crime Reduction Initiatives.

It says it will lead to an increase in crime and antisocial behaviour.

However, the police’s official final response to the clinic gives it full backing.

A final decision on the centre will be made by councillors at a planning meeting tomorrow. One of the reasons council officers have recommended the centre for approval is because there was no objection from police.

The first report was circulated to councillors without being signed off by Southend central inspector Matt Bennett. It was then withdrawn and the new response compiled.

He says it was the view of an individual officer and not the police as an organisation.

One councillor who saw the original report and would not be named said: “I saw the first response and there was a drastic change of mind to the one that is now in the council report.

“I have already made some enquiries about the change and have not got very far. The letter was withdrawn and I don’t understand why they changed their minds.”

The first letter says it is in an area where illegal drugs are freely available and where there is “easy opportunity for drug users to illegally fund their addiction by criminal means i.e. shoplifting and robbery”.

However, the final version says “It is felt that the site is ideally located far enough away from the High Street to be tucked away, but still accessible.”

Insp Bennett said a letter was drafted in his name and sent out before he signed it off.

He added: “The police point of view has never changed. An individual officer was worried about it and drafted a letter for me to send.

“It was inadvertently sent as someone thought we were going to miss the deadline with the council. I had to have it pulled as it’s not the view of the organisation, but one officer.”

Crime Reduction Initiatives run a similar centre at Chase Road and Insp Bennett said there has been no incidents linked to it in 20 months since it opened.

He added: “It’s the same management team running both places and I’m confident in their ability as managers.

“They have demonstrated it in Chase Road.”