Southend: Beach welfare officers deployed to seafront

The volunteers are members of Chalkwell Lifeguards and as well as being able to respond to water-based incidents and carry out first aid.

They are also trained to deal with missing children, lost property and other minor incidents.

They work alongside other community organisations and workers at Southend Council to provide reassurance and support to residents, day-trippers and holiday makers to keep Southend safe, clean and tidy.

Martin Terry, councillor responsible for community safety, said: “With the easing of lockdown and summer fast approaching, our alluring blue flag beaches and bustling seafront are likely to attract many people to our town. Which is why it is so important to have extra support to ensure everyone’s safety.

“I cannot thank the beach welfare officers enough for donating their time to help the borough. The volunteers help us to manage issues as they arise and ease pressure on other services, such as the community safety and foreshore patrol teams, coastguard, ambulance service and Essex Police.”

The beach welfare officers are an additional resource which has been in place since Easter weekend, to provide cover on weekends and bank holidays.

They patrol the foreshore from Old Leigh to East Beach with a regular presence at Chalkwell and Jubilee beaches.

Carole Mulroney, councillor responsible for environment, culture, tourism and planning, said: “As a seaside town, we have many amenities that attract people to Southend, and as such we need to ensure the safety of those people and their families.

"It is wonderful to have volunteers, who donate their time as additional patrols on our seafront and show our residents and visitors that we take their safety seriously.”