Canvey needs a dedicated seafront warden to stop people leaving dog mess and dropping litter, say islanders.

John Anderson, borough councillor for Canvey central, called on Castle Point Council to employ a new warden, after complaints from residents.

But council officers believe existing patrols are effectively bringing down the amount of incidents.

One of two wardens employed by Canvey Town Council currently patrol the seafront – but they lack training to be able to issue fines on behalf of the borough council.

Mr Anderson said: “We need Castle Point Council to show more presence, but they are just not doing it.

“They are trying to say it is covered already, but that is not the case and they need to do more.

“It is a terrible area and people are always complaining about dog fouling.

“But if people see a warden they will not let their dog foul.”

Mr Anderson believes too few people are fined for dog fouling and has called for daily patrols of the seafront at varying times of day to catch offenders.

But borough council officers pointed to a decrease in incidents reported by the public.

There were 14 public complaints from April to December 2014, compared to 52 in same period in 2013.

The council report said: “In the case of dog fouling it is common for people to perceive the problem to be much greater than it actually is.

“This is probably due to its unpleasantness and the associated public health risks it presents.”

However, dog trainer Emily Lawrence, of First Avenue, Canvey, said more needs to be done.

She said: “It is a problem in all areas, not just the seafront, and I frequently see people not clearing up after their dogs.

“The only way to have an impact is to have enforcement.

“There are posters up about fines, but in reality people barely get a warning, let alone a fine.

“We should have a community warden who monitors all kinds of littering, not just dogs and dog walkers.”

The idea, submitted by Mr Anderson, will be discussed by Castle Point Council cabinet tonight.