WORRIED residents fear for the safety of children who are getting into derelict office blocks in Southend.

People in Baxter Avenue say they regularly see children entering the blocks in Victoria Avenue.

Residents say they have seen children leaning over the tops of some of the blocks.

Helen Archer, 35, of Baxter Avenue, said: “We see lots of kids around here playing and jumping in and out of the buildings. I wonder if there are homeless people in there?”

Trever Bush, 64, said: “It’s sad, but I don’t think Southend Council has done anything about the blocks.’’

Another resident, who asked not to be named, said: “The situation has been reported to the police a few times. People are scaling the roof out there and I have seen kids at the top, leaning over.

"The police sent a woman officer. She said they couldn’t do anything about it.

"I don’t know who owns the building, but surely they can be made to secure it?”

Trespassing is a not a criminal offence, so the owners would need to bring a civil court claim against people found in the derelict buildings.

The main target for trespassers, Heath and Carby House, at the corner of Victoria Avenue and Harcourt Avenue, is owned by an unnamed overseas investment company.

The owners of the Pinnacle, next door, which is expected to be turned into flats, have bricked up the entrance to stop trespassers.

Workmen are already converting Victoria House, which is next in line, into flats.