ANTI-terrorism bollards or wardens could be brought in to patrol Festival Leisure Park after two major incidents at the weekend and a series of violent attacks over the last few months.

The site, also dubbed Bas Vegas, caters for all the family, with Cineworld, several restaurants, bars, and nightclub Unit 7 all nearby.

However in recent months, the leisure park has been hit with scenes of violence, including fights and stabbings.

Police were called to a stabbing at around 4am on Saturday, and an incident which saw a car driven at a crowd of people on Sunday.

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Extending Basildon’s park wardens to the park, or installing anti-terrorism bollards, have been touted as possible security measures.

Craig Rimmer, councillor in charge of the leisure and environment committee, added: “Unfortunately Festival Leisure park has a history of violence.

“We’re looking at extending the park wardens to our [housing]estates, which could include the leisure park.

“The pandemic acted as a break for incidents like these, but now people are going out again we’re seeing more and more take place.”

But security guard Jeff Harks insisted Festival Leisure is safe for families.

The 55-year-old, from Southend, praised staff at Unit 7, who stepped in. He said: “It wasn’t near the nightclub in the end, but six doormen were out there helping.

“The park is safe. I let my children go there and they never see any trouble.”

Wagner Silva, 20, of Starboard Way, London, has been charged with two counts of GBH, possession of a bladed article and possession of cannabis, following the alleged stabbing.

Shaquille Mathurin, 25, of Magnolia Close, in London, has been charged with GBH with intent, dangerous driving, possession of cannabis and driving without insurance, after Sunday’s incident.

In September, an 18-year-old man was stabbed in the back “several times.” Just hours before on September 4, a woman in her 20s was rushed to hospital after being hit by a car, which failed to stop.

Festival Leisure Park was contacted for comment.