THE Ministry of Defence has unleashed the first of its amphibious patrols on beaches in Shoebury in an effort to deter trespassers who may risk their lives due to unexploded ordnance.

The bright blue vehicles are patrolling using special crawler tracks to allow them to work on both land and water.

A stretch of the Shoebury coastline and foreshore, near East Beach, are part of the Ministry of Defence estate and firing range which means dangerous devices could be present.

The public are not permitted to enter or conduct any activity in these prohibited areas at any time.

Anyone found to be on the beaches will be asked to leave or could face a fine.

The “prohibited areas” are signposted to inform people that they are closed, and to alert visitors to the inherent danger that trespassers are exposed to and the hazards associated with the historic use of the area.

However, there has been an increase in reports of families, including children, trespassing on the firing range in Shoebury.

Tony Cox, Tory councillor for West Shoebury, said: “It is concerning. People just walk their dogs over ordnance, and they do so at risk. The testing ranges are there for a reason. Some of it is historic as well. We want people to keep safe, and we want people to enjoy beaches, but those beaches are out of bounds for a reason. In some ways, this has been a long-standing issue, so I am glad that the MoD are taking it seriously.”

HM Coastguard Southend said there had been an increase in children digging in the mudflats as well as “bait diggers, metal detectors, and unlicensed oyster pickers”.

QinetiQ, the contractor running the Ministry of Defence weapons testing site at Shoebury, warned of an “inherent risk of unexploded objects”.

In response to the ongoing issue, a Ministry of Defence spokesperson added: “We take the safety of the public very seriously.

“While the risk remains low, it increases when trespassing on Ministry of Defene-owned land.

“We ask the public to respect the signage and fencing erected to keep them safe, and remind them those caught trespassing may be subject to fines.”

When asked about how amphibious patrols work, the Ministry of Defence declined to provide more information for security reasons.