FED-UP residents have repeatedly spotted drug deals going on at a block of flats in Southend.

They have also seen sacks of clothes going into the flat, Rochford Road, which appear to be have been stolen.

The bags look like the ones which are left out for charity collection, and have been seen being unloaded out of a large van.

One resident, who did not want to be named, said it was clear that drug dealing was going on.

He said: “There’s no fixed pattern to what goes on except that cars regularly pull outside for ten seconds and somebody gets out. They exchange something with somebody from the flat and then they’re gone again.

“I don’t notice it all the time but it’s a fairly constant thing. I pass on the registration numbers of these cars that come and go but it just carries on.”

He also finds it extremely frustrating that they appear to also be unloading stolen clothes from a van and taking them into the flat. He said: “There isn’t one or two bags coming off it, there’s whole van loads that people have left out intending it for charity.

“It just seems annoying that no body does anything about it. “I don’t know how many times I’ve rung the police, I’ve lost track. I don’t get used to it, I just get more annoyed.”

He said the flat seemed to be used almost like a doss-house with scores of people coming and going.

He added: “I think there’s only one person that’s supposed to live there but numerous people come and go. In the past some people have stayed there for months at a time. “It seems to be a meeting place for people to turn up.”

Insp Brad Dickel, of Leigh police, invited the resident to call him directly with any information.

He added: “It’s something we are aware of, we’ve used a multi-agency apporach and a number of enquries are ongoing.” Anyone who can help police should call 101.