SOUTHEND city centre has become a “war zone” with families and workers left scared to walk through the high street after a string of serious incidents, it is claimed.

Concerns have been raised about safety in the wake of a serious attack on a man in Chichester Road, Southend on April 4.

A woman was also sexually assaulted in York Road on Monday.

It comes after noted Guardian columnist and Southend resident, Tim Burrows, said parts of the city centre had become a “byword” for deprivation, suffering from “a worsening and visible drug problem”.

Seafront traders and business owners in the city centre fear for the safety of their staff, while one woman admitted she avoids the high street after 7pm.

Essex Police has insisted that crime is down in the area and the force is doing all it can to solve crimes and prevent violent incidents.

Paul Thompson, 49, owner of Pebbles One Cafe on the seafront, said: “We’ve got drunks, drug addicts, shoplifters and undesirables doing what they please.

“It’s not very pleasant and my wife raised the concerns following the sex assault on the woman. She feels there is almost no areas which are not dodgy.

“It’s a major deterrent for people coming here. It’s like a war zone.”

Fiona Foster, from Southend, described the situation as “scary”.

The owner of Vintage by the Sea in Alexandra Street said: “I don’t go into town after 7pm even in the daylight.

“These incidents are concerning, even though I am pretty brave. I understand why people feel threatened and uncomfortable.”

District commander for Southend, Chief Insp Jo Collins, said: “Crime is down across the district in the last year, including fewer reports of violent, sexual and domestic offences, and fewer robberies and burglaries.

“In the same time, antisocial behaviour has fallen by almost a third. We’re solving more crimes. We solved 380 more crimes in the last year than the previous 12 months and that includes investigations into violent and sexual offences, more burglaries solved, more thefts, and more domestic offences solved.”

Simon Ford, head of community safety at Southend Council, stressed the safety of residents and businesses is a “key priority”, adding: “Along with our £2.2m CCTV upgrade, we also have the fastest growing radio service in England with 176 active users on our Townlink radio system, a well-established network of partners and agencies fully committed to keeping our city safe.”

Southend Business Improvement District - which aims to improve the High Street, insists the city centre has a lot to offer.

Suzanne Gloyne, Southend City BID Manager, said: "At Southend City BID we meet bi-monthly with Essex Police and local businesses at our Southend Businesses Against Crime meeting. During these meetings we discuss recent events, local concerns, and action points moving forward; helping to keep Southend’s community safe and eradicate crime locally is of the utmost importance to our committee.

"I encourage all BID members to attend these meetings and raise any concerns they have whilst hearing updates about the proactive work that is being done to keep Southend safe. 

"Meanwhile, our Street Ranger team work to support the public and local businesses in collaboration with Town Centre Police and the Community Safety team on a daily basis. If you have concerns whilst in the High Street, please do not hesitate to speak with one of our rangers."