POLICE could have to manage “up to 100,000 more people” in Southend this summer says a leading councillor, who has welcomed extra officers.

Martin Terry said that Essex Police are “doing the right thing” to tackle anti-social behaviour in the borough as the temperatures rise.

The councillor responsible for community safety said the problems of people causing anti-social behaviour need to be challenged head-on.

He believes the town could see 80,000 to 100,000 people as families holiday in this country.

Essex Police have announced that 46 more officers “at a minimum” will be deployed to Southend at weekends to manage an influx of visitors to the borough enjoying staycations, due to restrictions on travel abroad.

Mr Terry said he had been assured police would “top up” the extra resources if necessary.

He said: “I feel a lot happier now that the police are reflecting the challenges in the town.

“This being a staycation year there is every potential for our population on busy days can increase by at least a third.

“We know people aren’t going to travel, each time the government make an announcement they then check down and deny it.

“We are the closest beach to London. We have seen some incidents happen, I think there are Covid consequences, people have been cooped up for a year and a half, they want to get out, they want to go a bit mad, we need to be prepared for that.”

Philip Miller, executive chairman of Stockvale group that owns Adventure Island, said: “I’m feeling reassured as much as possible, but the proof is always in the pudding.

“The moment it gets to 23 or 24 degrees, out people come, they start drinking and they get carried away.

“But if you have lots of uniforms around, it’s a big deterrent, nothing ever happens.

“I’ve had very few problems in the past as I have had security guards running around that look like policemen. That uniform seems to make a big difference to people.”