SOUTHEND High Street and homeless people need more support, according to Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Mr Corbyn visited Tilbury and Southend yesterday to see the problems for himself and meet retail bosses from the town.

He was joined by Labour candidate for Rochford and Southend East Ashley Dalton, and discussed what challenges businesses have experienced, the impact the budget from Monday will have on them and their business, and how to make the high street thrive again.

They met with managers from M&S, Debenhams and The Royals Shopping Centre among others.

Speaking to the Echo after the meeting, Mr Corbyn said businesses had highlighted the problem of homelessness and aggressive begging in Southend high street.

He said: “With homelessness, there is clearly the need for emergency accommodation made available, so we are proposing urgent purchase of 8,000 properties nationally to at least give rough sleepers a roof immediately.

“That to me is very important, the number of rough sleepers are variously quoted nationally at around 4,000; I believe the figure to be far, far bigger than that.

“On aggressive begging, this is sometimes related to drug and alcohol issues, it’s often related to degrees of dislocation, it’s also often related to policing and issues surrounding the street, and everyone raises concerns about the loss of police and PCSOs, and the way in which the angels and so on are actually volunteers that are being supported. But that’s not the way to do policing. Policing has to be professional, and properly done.

“And if there’s somebody suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, then they should be helped.

“They shouldn’t be criminalised, they should be helped to get through that, and that means having good rehabilitation services.”

Mr Corbyn also highlighted the importance of people using the high street, and for everyone to contribute in shaping its future.

He said: “A big problem faced by the high street is business rates, these online companies have their out of town warehouses where they stock and deliver, and they pay considerably lower business rates than a high street store.

“If you value something then use it. A high street and town centre is more than just the shops, it provides a sense of belonging, a home for people, and it’s a strong sense of identity. All of us from this generation, we remember a good trip to the town centre. Will the next generation remember clicking to buy something online?”