TRADERS claim drunks who constantly booze and linger outside their shops are driving customers away.

Bosses at the tiny parade of shops in Rectory Road, Pitsea, have started a petition demanding Basildon Council makes the area an alcohol exclusion zone.

Alex Duran, 24, a shop assistant at Margaret’s Mini Market, said: “They are always hanging around outside and they get rude and swear if you ask them to go.

“They also come in and get abusive, and they are definitely scaring our customers.”

Every day drunks, aged between 30 and 50, gather outside the three businesses – hair salon Blahnix, Margaret’s Mini Market and the William Hill betting shop. They block doorways, intimidate shoppers and urinate against the walls.

An exclusion zone would give police the power to arrest anyone who refuses to stop drinking in the area.

PC Nick Smith, who covers the Pitsea South East ward, said officers were compiling a log of reports which would give them the evidence needed to secure the exclusion zone.

He said: “Many shoppers, particularly the elderly, say they are avoiding the shops as they feel too intimidated. But a trip to the supermarket is too far for them, so they just aren’t going out anymore.

“We will not tolerate alcohol related antisocial behaviour and are working with the community to restore the area and give it back to the people.”

PC Smith said anyone wanting to report incidents relating to the drinkers in Rectory Road can call police on 0300 333444, quoting incident 1009 of June 1.

Alternatively, contact PC Smith or PC Jessica Bifield on the Pitsea South East ward mobile, 07875 003290.