Southend residents 'avoid High Street' despite crime falling

According to Essex Police, reports of antisocial behaviour across south Essex have plummeted in the last 12 months, with a reduction of 22 per cent in Southend and 15 per cent in Basildon. 

But Southend residents are questioning the findings, claiming they have felt a rise in antisocial behaviour on the city’s streets.

The high street is littered with abandoned shops (Image: George Pizani)

It comes days after the High Street was branded a “no-go area” during a Southend Council meeting due to issues with antisocial behaviour and boozing. 

Resident Jay Bartholomew, 40, said: “There isn’t a decrease. I live in the Kursaal Estate, there is antisocial behaviour all the time. My kids are scared all the time. It’s everywhere in Southend.

“I’m scared to let my kids out. I’ve given them a 4pm curfew, and they’re teenagers. Did you have a curfew at that age?”

Simon Nichols, 44, also believes there’s an ongoing problem with antisocial behaviour in Southend, saying it is “getting worse”, adding: “I don’t think there has been a change. I think the police are quiet when there is trouble.”

I don't think it's decreased at all - Simon Nichols,44 (Image: Michael Robinson)

Kevin Robertson, 62, from Westcliff, added: “There seems to be more. In fact, I’m very surprised by the decrease. I shop in other places rather than the High Street because of the antisocial behaviour”

Bayo Alaba, MP for Southend East and Rochford, said: “Antisocial behaviour can blight a community and make life a misery for families. There is clearly more work to be done in Southend and Rochford. But these figures are a very encouraging sign, suggesting community partnerships and vigilant policing can have a real impact. Bayo Alaba MP welcomes the police figures (Image: Bayo Alaba MP)

“As MP I will be looking to support the police and other agencies in whatever ways I can, to continue to tackle anti-social behaviour and youth crime.”

Martin Terry, councillor for community safety, said police do a “fantastic job in managing antisocial behaviour in Southend”, adding: “The force is the largest it’s been in history and we’re actively trying to recruit more special constables.

He added: “Calling Southend ‘a no-go-zone’ is completely overblown. Of course we have issues, but these are societal issues and not unique to Southend.”

Deputy Chief Constable Andy Prophet is the National Police Chief Council’s lead for ASB. He said the success of the Essex hotspot pilot and others across the country showed that proactively tacking ASB alongside partners worked: “There are many examples of successful interventions up and down the country where police and other agencies are successfully working with communities to tackle and reduce ASB.

“This focussed ‘hotspot approach’, using powers of dispersal, stop and search, premises closure and of course arrest, is a vital part of what must be a long term, multi-agency approach to tackling anti-social behaviour.”