ESSEX Police has imposed another dispersal zone in Old Leigh and Chalkwell beach following "repeated breaches" of Government Covid-19 regulations.

Officers also point to antisocial behaviour which has triggered the latest order, which gives police powers to move people on. 

The latest order follows reports of a large group of young people congregating at Chalkwell Beach, consuming alcohol and "behaving anti-socially".

It comes after a series of incidents of anstisocial behaviour and Covid rule breaches in Leigh in the past year. 

Echo: Dispersal zone - Essex Police imposed the order on Old Leigh until tomorrow morningDispersal zone - Essex Police imposed the order on Old Leigh until tomorrow morning
The order is in place from 7.30pm today (Friday May 28) until 6am tomorrow (Saturday May 29).

The order has been put in place to prevent crime and disorder and prevent people living in the area being harassed, alarmed or distressed.

It gives officers powers to move anyone believed to be behaving anti-socially from the area.

Old Leigh has been plagued with many incidents in the past year including people urinating in the streets, rubbish left strewn across the Old Town and crowds gathering. 

A murder probe was also launched following the death of a teenager who suffered stab wounds in Old Leigh. 

In the future, rule breakers could face £100 fines in two areas of Southend in a bid to tackle anti-social behaviour.

Plans for a public space protection order (PSPO), are now being put to residents and businesses, following on from a series of incidents in Old Leigh and Chalkwell.

Several dispersal orders have been introduced across Old Leigh in recent months, most recently over the May Bank Holiday weekend, to combat boozy crowds causing trouble.

This comes as teenagers from gangs which police believe could possibly be linked to two murder investigations, were banned from entering parts of Southend, Rayleigh and Leigh.