The area surrounding the scene of a shocking incident in Westcliff has been branded a "no-go zone for families" by residents who described constant issues with "street-drinking and fighting".
Essex Police has launched a murder investigation after a man died following a "serious incident" at the junction of Hamlet Court Road and London Road.
One man was pronounced dead at the scene and another man was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Police on the scene (Image: Essex Police)
Residents living around the area have described it as a "no go zone" and have spoken about consistent issues surrounding the benches and toilets next to the Hamlet Court Road car park, claiming there is often "confrontations" involving groups who have been "drinking in the street".
According to Essex Police, reports of anti-social behaviour in Southend has deceased by 27 per cent plus reports of violent crime have fallen by 13 per cent. Dedicated patrols are also carried out in the Hamlet Court Road area.
One resident, who asked not to be named, told the Echo: "Removing the benches there would make a big difference. We don't know if the people knew each other or what they had been fighting over but the benches are in issue.
"Hamlet Court Road is a great area, the problem is those benches allow antisocial congregation to happen, some homeless people drink there. It attracts trouble. They should be removed.
"We have been here for 12 years, it feels like behaviour like this has increased over the past decade though. You get used to seeing an altercation.
"It is a no-go-zone for families, those benches support a drinking culture, its usually drinking and shouting."
Another resident told the Echo a "tragedy was waiting to happen" due to constant issues with abuse.
They said: " It was waiting to happen, that area is a big nuisance. There is always a lot of people and they can be abusive, you can’t use the toilets.
"It happens so frequently, people shouting and people getting into scraps, its so frequent the sound is almost like white noise.
"The benches and the toilers should be removed, it would reduce the problem to nothing. It is a massive put off."
A spokesman for Essex Police said: "Dedicated operations in Southend are continuing to drive down reports of anti-social behaviour and violent crime.
"Following concerns raised from residents in Southend, two operations have been created which focus around high visibility patrols and intelligence gathering.
"These patrols are carried out by officers at least three times a week and include the Hamlet Court Road area, where officers are working closely with residents and business owners to continue tackling specific crime types. These patrols are in addition to the regular police resourcing in the area.
"Recent figures showed that anti-social behaviour in Southend has deceased by 27% plus a 13% fall in violent crime.
"Officers will continue to work closely with Southend City Council’s Community Safety Office to understand areas of concern and will look to enforce sanctions such as Criminal Behaviour Orders where necessary."
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