A sex worker who was banned from a notorious Southend neighbourhood has been fined after returning to the road.

The 34-year-old woman, the Echo has decided not to name, was handed the criminal behaviour order at a hearing at Basildon Magistrates' Court on May 31.

The court heard she subsequently breached her order by ‘loitering for sexual purposes’ in Ambleside Drive, in Southend on June 3, 5, and 9.

Earlier this month the woman pleaded guilty and was handed a £50 fine for the breach.

People living on Ambleside Drive have long complained about problems with gangs, drug dealers and prostitution.

Police confirmed they have issued a number of community protection warnings to sex workers in recent months, which ban them from the area.

Independent Martin Terry, formerly councillor for public protection, called for a crackdown on kerb crawlers driving around instead of the sex workers, who he views as victims in these instances.

He said: “It’s a millenia-old problem but that’s not an excuse, it’s just a very difficult problem to deal with.

“A lot of CCTV cameras have been installed in the area with police running several operations down there to eradicate the problem.

“It’s really disappointing that people continue to do this. I know some kerb crawlers have been spoken to and dealt with.”

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In August 2021, Essex Police launched Operation Vimto in the Ambleside Drive area to target criminals running sex and drug gangs.

Essex Police insisted officers treat these women as victims and ensure their welfare is the priority when they are dealing with them.

Mr Terry added: “The women are the real victims in this, criminal gangs target them and often get them addicted to drugs before pimping them out.

“It’s also a sign of the times, the people who are involved in this type of thing are usually desperate.

“There’s a huge cost of living crisis and these workers sometimes have links to substance abuse as well.”

Essex Police have options available to ensure the safety of sex workers.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “If you're a sex worker you have the right to report any crime committed against you.

“You can report a crime to us online or call us on 101 at any time.”