Westcliff Library extra patrols after 'public urination'

David Burton Sampson, Labour MP for Southend West and Leigh, took up the issue with Southend Council following dozens of complaints from residents about anti-social behaviour surrounding the library in London Road.

He said the council has assured him officers will conduct a deep clean of the area, and the street will be patrolled by the council’s community safety unit to investigate and then tackle the issue.

Mr Burton-Sampson said: “We want to deter this offensive behaviour and remind people that public urination is an offence and can be reported to Essex Police if seen.”

Martin Terry, Independent Southend councillor for public protection, called the reports “disappointing” and said they have notified police of the issue.

He said: “It’s disappointing to hear that there has been a recent incident of anti-social behaviour around Westcliff Library.

“Our community safety officers have increased their patrols in this area, and we have also notified Essex Police.

“We encourage residents to report any incidents of public urination promptly to Essex Police, so that they respond and take appropriate action.”

Tory councillor for Chalkwell ward, Nigel Folkard, called the reported incident “awful,” adding it was “disgusting behaviour”.

He said: “We want to see residents behaving in the right manner. We are always on a drive to keep up standards.”

Under Southend Council’s public space protection order, anyone caught urinating or defecating in public can be hit with a £100 fine in parts of Southend.

There is currently a public safety protection order in force in Southend which was introduced in 2019.

The order includes Southend town centre, Southend seafront, Southchurch Hall Gardens, Hamlet Court Road, York Road and the Queensway Estate.

They are intended to deal with anti-social behaviours within a particular area that have a detrimental impact on the local community’s qualify of life.

It can lead to a fine of up to £1,000.