Non-residents have been gaining access to Southend tower blocks and breaching Covid-19 regulations, police have said.

Not only have Essex Police received intel from residents that people were gaining access to tower blocks in the area and breaching Covid guidelines, but they've also been informed flouters were behaving antisocially.

The force say such behaviour has also been causing a disturbance to families who live in the tower blocks.

As a result, officers have been patrolling landing areas within the blocks to make sure nobody is there that shouldn't be. 

The team are yet to confirm which tower blocks are being used in such a way, but say appropriate and "proportionate action" is being taken against people where required.

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A spokesperson from Essex Police, said: "Officers from our Southend community policing teams are regularly on patrol throughout the town and the surrounding areas, responding to your concerns.

"We received information from local residents that non-residents were gaining access to tower blocks in the area and not only breaching Covid-19 regulations, but behaving antisocially and causing a disturbance to families who live there.

"This is not acceptable behaviour. So our officers have been patrolling landing areas within the blocks to make sure no one is there, that shouldn't be, and taking appropriate and proportionate action against people where required.

"Our community also raised concerns about drug activity taking place across the Borough, particularly criminals using alleyways to deal drugs and commit crime. In response, we have been out on patrol to deter this activity and catch criminals, preventing them from causing further harm to our communities.

"Thank you to everyone who has reported their concerns to us. It's really important that we understand what is happening in our communities so that we can take appropriate action.

"For information about how you can report non-emergency crime and antisocial behaviour visit www.essex.police.uk/digita101"