-optimized.jpg){kind=avatar}
Essex Police, with partner agencies and licensees, have been working to make the busy areas surrounding Southend High Street and the seafront safer for the public to enjoy at evening-time, through to the early hours of the morning. And their efforts appear to be paying off, as recorded crime in the centre of town between 6pm and 6am fell by three per cent in 2010, when compared to figures for 2009.
The number of anti-social behaviour (ASB) incidents fell by 17 per cent in the same period.
Local Area Inspector Leigh Norris puts the reductions down to a number of contributing factors. He said: "As a police force, we have continued our business as usual policing of the area throughout the week, including better use of Specials, and we have extra officers between 10pm and 4am on the busier weekend nights, under Operation Magpie (previously Op Backstreet).
"We have also drafted in support from our colleagues in the Mounted Unit and road policing units to tackle specific issues where necessary and our police Licensing Unit have been instrumental in identifying licensed premises needing extra attention from us.
"However it is our work with the other local agencies and support groups, such as Clubwatch, the Night-time Economy Group, Town centre Partnership and SOS Bus that has been pivotal in ensuring a reduction in crime and ASB. By sharing information and discussing real solutions to any issues that arise, it is my hope that we will continue to see a decline in numbers of crimes and ASB incidents in the town centre.โ
