Local residents, business owners and staff have told us they are worried about street drinking and anti-social behaviour. These problems are happening most often in Southend High Street, Warrior Square, and Hamlet Court Road.

Our officers work with the Community Safety Team and Southend Business Improvement District (BID) to tackle street drinking and anti-social behaviour.

A Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) is a legal order that helps to stop certain behaviours that have a negative impact on the local community. In Southend, this includes street drinking and anti-social behaviour in specific areas.

When someone is found drinking alcohol in public or acting anti-socially, they are spoken to by officers. They are told about the PSPO and offered support, such as help from local services.

If the behaviour continues, the person may be given a Community Protection Warning (CPW). This is a formal warning. If they still do not change their behaviour, they may receive a Community Protection Notice (CPN), which is a legal notice requiring them to stop the behaviour.

If they break the rules again and are taken to court, they can be given a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO). This can ban them from entering certain areas, such as Southend High Street, Warrior Square, or Hamlet Court Road.

Gang-related violent crime is a concern for those who live, work and study in Southend.

We work to stop people from carrying or using weapons. Officers use several tools to do this:

Stop and search – this means police can stop and search someone if they believe the person is carrying something illegal, like a weapon or drugs.
Community Protection Warning (CPW) – this is a formal warning given to someone whose behaviour is causing problems in the community.
Community Protection Notice (CPN) – this is a legal notice that can be given if the person ignores the warning. It tells them to stop the behaviour and may include rules they must follow.

We also have specialist teams who use different tactics to find and arrest drug dealers, putting them before the courts.

Because of this work, some people have been taken to court, sentenced, and are no longer in the community. The team continues to work hard to stop violence and keep Southend safe.

Local people have told us they are worried about retail crime in Southend city centre.

The Southend Neighbourhood Team working in partnership with the council Community Safety Team and Southend Business Improvement District (BID) to address street drinking and the resulting anti-social behaviour. Those involved in street drinking and/or anti-social behaviour are educated about the Public Space Protection order (PSPO) and signposted to support services. Should the behaviour continue a Community Protection Warning or Notice is issued, upon convection for a breach of notice offenders have been given Criminal Behaviour Orders not to enter the area.

Local people have told us they are worried about the use of e-scooters and e-bikes. Concerns include riding on pavements, high speeds, and unsafe or illegal use in busy areas.

We are tackling the use of e-scooters and modified e-bikes in the city. Officers on foot and on bikes carry out high-visibility patrols. They speak with riders, give advice, and use powers under the Road Traffic Act to seize vehicles when needed.

Local people have told us they are worried about anti-social behaviour on the Queensway Estate.

We are tackling anti-social behaviour in tower blocks on the Queensway Estate. We work closely with the Housing Association and the Council’s Community Safety Team.

Images of people involved in anti-social behaviour are identified using CCTV and body-worn video from housing patrols, Community Safety Officers, or police and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs).

When someone is identified, officers may issue a Community Protection Warning (CPW). This is a formal warning given to someone whose behaviour is causing problems in the community. If the behaviour continues, they may receive a Community Protection Notice (CPN). This is a legal notice that tells them to stop the behaviour and may include rules they must follow.

If the person is arrested for breaking the notice, we can use legal powers to ban them from the area.