A BAN on barbecues on Shoebury East Beach “must be enforced” after visitors were spotted flouting the rules on the hottest day of the year.

Several families were reportedly seen using barbecues on a beach in Shoebury, in direct contravention of a Public Spaces Protection Order.

In a photo seen by the Echo, a family can be seen sitting round a barbecue on a grassy area behind the beach which is covered by the ban.

Southend Council banned all barbecues, both disposable and in pits, on East Beach in July last year after years of growing pressure from residents.

Anyone found having a barbecue could be issued a fine by Southend Council.

Peter Lovett, chairman of Shoebury Residents’ Association, was made aware of barbecues being used and believes not enough is being done to enforce the order He said: “Barbecues have been banned on all Southend Beaches and specifically on East Beach.

“We were made aware that people who hired a beach hut have three barbecues blazing away.

“We are constantly suffering with barbecues being lit on East Beach, placing our community at high risk of fires with the tinder dry grass and our children at risk of burning their feet again.

“The risk of fires is a serious concern to us and if another child receives burns, then the blame will sit in the council’s lap.

“We went to great lengths to encourage the council to ban barbecues, because East Beach was the only place that was legally allowed.”

Back in 2021, a two-year-old suffered singed feet covered in blisters after walking where a “boiling hot” tin barbecue had been, unbeknown to her.

“No barbecue” signs were placed at key entrance points to East Beach, including the walkthrough from the train station and on the sides of public toilets when the ban was implemented.

Martin Terry, Independent Southend councillor for community safety, said: “It is disheartening to learn that some individuals are disregarding the East Beach barbecue Public Spaces Protection Order.

“This measure was in response to barbecues causing damage, injuries, danger, and distress to other visitors and local residents.

“To address this issue, we’ve prominently displayed ‘no barbecue’ signs at key entrance points to East Beach.

“Our officers have the authority to issue Fixed Penalty Notices of £100 to anyone violating these regulations.

“While our enforcement staff can’t be everywhere at once, they remain committed to enforcing the ban.”