ACTION is needed to stop dog walkers and families who are flouting lockdown rules by driving to the beach, it is claimed.

One resident who overlooks East Beach in Shoeburyness says there has been a steady stream of people travelling in cars to and from the area since a national lockdown was enforced last Monday.

It comes a week after Southend Council closed many seafront car parks to deter visitors the seafront. 

People are allowed to exercise under lockdown restrictions but are not expected to travel before doing so.

An eyewitness, who wished to remain anonymous, said he was left in disbelief on Saturday when he saw dozens of people driving down to East Beach for exercise.

He said: “My flat looks down George Street and all I see is people going up and down to the beach.

“It’s just incredible. I thought this was meant to be a lockdown?

“As soon as the sun came out on Saturday they were all down there, with three or four people getting out of their cars each time.

“It’s madness. We are never going to get this virus under control if people keep doing this.”

Southend deputy council leader Ron Woodley says he wants the police to make an example of rule breakers to stop people travelling to the town during the lockdown.

He said: “We’re a popular seaside town and one of the biggest in Essex so we need to put these people off somehow.

“It’s not just against the spirit of everything at the moment, it’s also against the law.

“People should not be driving to do their exercise, it’s as simple as that. I can’t understand why people are ignoring the rules like this and it’s probably why the rates are so high.

“I am isolating and so is my wife. We only go out for shopping and necessary medicines so why can’t other people do it?

“They just don’t seem to be listening or grasping how serious and deadly this virus is.

“God forbid should any of these people pick up the virus and pass it onto a grandparent or vulnerable person.

“Maybe the police should stop some of these people and fine them to make an example of them. That would stop it.”

After the announcement of the latest national lockdown, Essex Police said it would continue to engage with people to ensure they were following the rules.

However, a spokesman said enforcement action would be taken when “reasoned conversation” does not work.

He added: “We will also continue to respond to clear and blatant breaches of the regulations in order to protect and serve the county and take enforcement action when that occurs.”