Police Watch
Southend safe as it becomes a city Keeping
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outhend is a safe place to live, work and visit, and this is a really exciting time for the area,” says the District Commander, Chief Inspector Ian Hughes (photo). He welcomes the increased profile that city status will bring and is looking forward to the warmer and busier spring and summer months but says the force have plans in place to combat anyone intent on committing crime in the district.
Priorities include high-harm crimes such as robbery and violence, and policing the night-time economy.
Southend is famous for its hospitality but when alcohol is consumed, we don’t want a small minority of people to spoil things for everyone else.
The Southend Town Centre Team have been increasing the force’s visibility in hot spot areas for offences, including in and the around the skate park in Warrior Square.
Ch Insp Hughes says the force is taking “a zero-tolerance approach to violence within our community” but there are “challenges” around young offenders and young victims.
Keep people safe To address those issues, officers are working alongside colleagues from children’s services and the adolescent intervention and prevention team at Southend Borough Council. Another initiative will see a mix of uniformed and plain clothes officers patrolling to help keep people safe when they’re out enjoying Southend’s nightlife. Officers have been working closely with licensed premises and will be monitoring alcohol consumption and suspicious
behaviour at venues. Ch Insp Hughes says officers are not out to spoil anyone’s fun.
“We welcome visitors to Southend and we want people to enjoy themselves when they’re here. All we ask is that they do so responsibly and respect the local area.”
Anti-social behaviour drop Encouragingly, last year saw anti-social behaviour in Southend drop by almost a quarter. Between 1 January and 31 December 2021, 5,700 anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded, a 23.3% reduction compared with the previous 12 months.
"We want Southend to be the best place" Ch Insp Hughes says that as well as officers patrolling in the town centre and down at the waterfront, they will continue to engage with local communities by attending public events and holding informal meetings like Coffee with Cops throughout the summer. He adds: “Our officers are there to protect and serve the people of Southend, and we want Southend to be the best place it can be for residents and visitors.”
Keep up to date with latest from Essex Police in Southend by following the district Facebook page, www.facebook.com/EPSouthend
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March 2022
