ANTISOCIAL behaviour at a town centre bus station is making passengers uneasy, a councillor claims.

Stephen Aylen, Independent councillor for Belfairs, on Southend Council, said bus passengers had complained of feeling intimidated at the bus station, opposite the Royals shopping centre.

The Echo reported last week homeless people were sleeping in the bus shelter during the day while others others there were drinking and swearing.

Mr Aylen said he had spoken to police and bus companies who use the shelter in the hope of a solution.

Mr Aylen, who chairs of the council’s bus working party, added: “The problem has been reported, but we are getting nowhere.

“It’s a huge problem and it’s putting people off getting the bus.

“Residents see rude, aggressive behaviour and don’t want to get off at the bus station.

“The bus company even told me it felt uneasy about dropping older people off there.”

First Bus confirmed it was looking at ways to tackle the problem. A spokesman said: “As with many bus stations around the country, from time to time we do experience occasional instances of antisocial behaviour.

“We work closely with the local authority and police to manage situations when they occur to ensure waiting areas are kept safe and accommodating for customers.

“We regularly provide a supervisor at the bus station to monitor our services and assist with customer queries.