Council bosses will ramp up fines for people and businesses who are not following new rules as most of Essex goes under new Covid restrictions.

Ian Gilbert, Southend Council leader says he’s worried about rule breakers flocking to Southend to enjoy time in groups of six inside as they cannot do it in other parts of Essex.

He said: “I hope the new restrictions will be affective and I appreciate the situation Essex County Council is in and I think it will make a difference but to what extent remains to be seen.

“In Southend we are guided by the number of cases in the coming weeks and our ability to keep that as low as we can do. I want to avoid people coming into Southend from high risk areas.

“It’s important our businesses follow the rules stringently and there is a risk of people coming into the borough but we will be quite firm with businesses.

“We’ve been educating them and will be processing tough enforcement if businesses do not do the right thing.”

But the council is expected to review the situation next week.

Norman Smith, Tory leader of Castle Point Council criticised Southend Council bosses for not following suit.

He said: “Most councils have agreed if we have a short sharp shock now it be as best we can reduce the risk of having more restrictions. In Castle Point we have businesses that will help us survive.

“I also think by reacting now we can help save some of the Christmas trade for businesses and hope it will not be impacted by further restrictions later down the line.

“It’s not good for business, the public or being able to meeting up with small groups but hopefully later down the line we can look back and think it was the right decision.

“There is a risk to Southend that people will rush there to enjoy areas of less restrictions, but that is the risk of not following it.

“It maybe lots of people go to Southend who would not have done so. It could be a risk to the area and short sharp shock would be better for everyone.”