Southend's Ambleside Drive residents on 'red-light' fears

But as police battle the issue and try to reassure those living on Ambleside Drive, some fear the issue has become so bad that the area is becoming a “red-light district” as men travel from far and wide to solicit sex.

Essex Police says stopping kerb crawling in the area is a priority – but, over a three-year period, made only one arrest for the offence across the whole of Southend.

A Freedom of information request shows the force recorded just one kerb crawling arrest – soliciting another for the purpose of obtaining their sexual services as a prostitute in a street or public place – in the city between January 2019 to February 22, 2022.

The force says kerb crawling is a difficult offence to prove adding it had stopped more than 50 vehicles over the same time period.

On patrol - Police in Ambleside Drive (Image: Newsquest)

“Almost every night there are women out on the street looking to attract guys driving by in cars,” one resident, who did not wish to be named said.

“It can be quite worrying walking home at night, as some of the guys who are controlling these women can be very aggressive.”

He added: “It feels like out road has become the unofficial red-light district of Southend. Everyone knows it, it’s all out in the open, but nothing is done.”

Essex Police says it works with partner organisations to engage with women “as victims”.

The force says its preventative work is based around helping the women on the streets find new lives and targeting kerb crawlers.

“The police have been on patrol more often recently, but clearly not enough is being done to target the men who drive down here in fancy cars looking for prostitutes,” the anonymous resident added.

“The area really has a reputation for that now, so people come down here specifically looking to buy sex.”

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Southend-based charity Aspirations Program offers advice and supplies to help keep the women safe and, if they want, help start a new life away from the sex trade.

“Most of the women are in a coercive and controlling relationship, many are controlled by men,” founder Marie Edmonds told the echo.

“They are not up there by choice, they are not up there having a good time. Many are fuelled by addiction.”

In August of last year, Essex Police undertaking proactive patrols in the area in a bid to crackdown on crime.

A police spokesman said: “Operation Vimto was launched in Southend following reports of increases in street prostitution, drug activity and associated anti-social behaviour.

“Our officers have been spending time in the Ambleside Drive area, engaging with women who may be vulnerable and being exploited.

“As a result of this work, several changes have been made, including CCTV cameras being placed along the road.

“This work is designed to be preventative, and we treat the women we speak with as victims and work alongside partners to ensure their welfare and to lift them out of prostitution.

“Stopping kerb crawling forms a key element of our action. Our work is aimed at preventing this behaviour taking place but when this behaviour is identified, we take appropriate action.”