WEARY residents have called for a booze ban to stop rowdy youths ruining a popular beach.

People living near East Beach, Shoebury, say their summer evenings and weekends are ruined by dozens of beer-swilling teenagers who gather on the sand to have barbecues and parties.

They want Southend Council and the police to take action to stop the trouble and encourage families to return to the beach.

David Shindler, 34, of George Street, has lived in the area for 15 years.

He said: “It’s just got worse and worse. I feel as though the authorities have lost interest in trying to control it.

“An alcohol ban is the next logical step, because you cannot have people going over there and getting wasted.

“It’s constant noise and you have to watch people urinating in the bushes. There’s no way you would take your kids down there.

“The beach has become a haven for loutish and oafish behaviour.”

Marie Williams, 44, of Gunners Road, added: “It is certainly a problem. You can’t walk past there in the evenings without hearing all the yelling and screaming.

“I think an alcohol ban would be a good way to go. People go there to drink at the moment – and that’s not what a beach should be for.”

Booze bans, which are brought in by the council, but enforced by the police, are seen as a last-resort measure for curbing antisocial behaviour.

In August last year, council chiefs agreed to rule the Four Rivers Estate in Shoebury an alcohol-free zone following dozens of reports of problems.

People living on the estate say the ban has helped break up the gangs of intimidating youngsters which roamed the streets and made it a more friendly place for visitors and families.

Andrew Lewis councillor responsible for tourism and the environment, said: “The council has made a significant investment in recent years at East Beach to address concerns expressed by residents about antisocial behaviour.

“We are aware there are some continuing issues with antisocial behaviour and are working closely in partnership with Essex police to address these.”