The Southend City BID is in talks with Southend-on-Sea City Council to trial the removal of public benches in the Southchurch Road area to help tackle anti-social behaviour. The proposal aims to discourage the congregation of large groups and address ongoing issues with street drinking that have impacted the area.
Southchurch Road has been identified as a hotspot for anti-social behaviour since at least 2023. It is currently part of the Operation Dial programme, which provides enhanced police patrols funded by a £1.1 million investment from the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex.
Data recorded by the BID between March and April 2026 highlights the scale of the challenges in the city centre. During this period, there were 344 incidents involving street drinkers, 95 reports of begging, and 94 recorded incidents of anti-social behaviour. In response to these pressures, the BID’s Street Ranger team conducted 1,158 business visits during the same two months to offer support and maintain a visible presence.
This potential trial is part of a wider effort to improve community safety in the city. The BID is also working with the Essex Police Business Crime Team to manage repeat offenders through store bans and warnings. Additionally, the organisation continues to support the Clear, Hold, Build project in Warrior Square, which uses multi-agency collaboration to reduce crime and support local regeneration.
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