VOLUNTEER coastguards have been forced to reduce their working hours as violent gangs hurl abuse and spit at officers.

The volunteer watchkeepers at the National Coastwatch Institution Station at Holehaven, Haven Road on Canvey have had to reduce their operating hours due to intimidation by gangs of teenagers.

The station has been forced to stop all afternoon watches until further notice after concerns for the safety of the volunteers who are being subjected to abuse, intimidation, threats of violence and even being spat at by gangs of 15 to 20 youths on a daily basis.

The team says police have attended on several occasions and dispersed the youths, who quickly returned once the police left.

The yobs are even vandalising the watch station, causing significant damage and four radios have been stolen, with at least two of them being discovered dumped in the mud below the station.

A spokesman from National Coastwatch Institution Holehaven said “We have suffered this situation for a number of years but it has never been this bad.

“The lockdown has created the perfect storm for this anti-social behaviour – bored teenagers off school with nothing to do in the summer, combined with good weather, is a recipe for this kind of behaviour.

“We are reluctant to suspend our visual watch in the afternoon, but the safety of our volunteers is a priority.

“Unfortunately, the behaviour of this group of teenagers is putting lives at risk, including their own. We have had to inform HM Coastguard, the police and the council that we can’t do our job because of this anti-social behaviour”.

John Anderson, Canvey Independent councillor for Canvey Central slammed the yobs for targeting the volunteers who offer a valuable service.

He said: “This is not the sort of behaviour that we want on Canvey and especially towards anyone who is doing such a great and vulnerable job.

“I find this sad and shameful and it shouldn’t be happening any time, but especially now when people should not be gatherings in groups like this.

“This sort of behaviour is disgusting and the coastwatch should call the police.”