A DETERMINED councillor will make a last-ditch attempt to buy up houses in a notorious street in a bid to curb crime and antisocial behaviour.

A motion calling for Compulsory Purchase Order powers to be used to give the council control over properties in York Road, Southend, was voted out by the scrutiny committee. It comes after the proposal was previously turned down at a cabinet meeting.

Independent councillor Mike Assenheim, who put forward the motion, said: “The cabinet noted that compulsory purchase action is not an appropriate procedure to address the problems in York Road and it is a matter for it to be addressed under criminal law.

“I am given to understand that some London councils have used the legislation to compulsory purchase property used for various criminal activity.

“As members of this administration, we have a duty to protect the residents and businesses of Southend. Compulsory purchase powers are an important tool to use as a means of assembling the land needed to help deliver social, environmental and economic change.”

The motion, for houses on both sides of the road between Baltic Avenue and Queensway, will now be put before full council.

It comes after a spate of violence incidents in York Road, including a double stabbing and an arson attack on a mobile police station.

A resident of Portland Avenue, which backs onto York Road, who asked not to be named, said: “We often hear disruptions and shouting. It never used to be this bad.

“The council need to do something, I don’t think landlords take responsibility for their tenants.”

Mark Flewitt, councillor for public protection, said: “It is an ill-defined motion, and while I understand the well-meaning thought behind it, it won’t achieve what is needed. The majority of the residents on the road are law abiding.”