ESSEX Police have praised people for "adhering" to their dispersal order in Old Leigh following high-visibility patrols to crack down on crime and antisocial behaviour. 

The Old Town has suffered from weeks of disruption caused by crowds of people who refuse to leave.

In recent months, Old Leigh has been beset with serious issues of gang fights, drug dealing, antisocial behaviour and reports of drunken youths causing mayhem.

Bottles have been left strewn across the beaches and Old Town, people have been urinating in the street and neighbours say the area has become a "weekend warzone".

As a result, police launched a dispersal zone for parts of Leigh this weekend. 

As a result of "the public adhering to a dispersal order put in place in Old Leigh", police say nobody was ordered to leave last night.

Echo:

An Essex Police spokesman said: "We had officers carrying out additional and high visibility patrols in the area to ensure the people who were in the area and enjoying themselves responsibility felt safe.

"The order remains in place until 6pm on Sunday and we continue to urge people to behave responsibly."

Chief Insp Ian Hughes, Southend District Commander, said: “The dispersal order is not a blanket ban on people going to Old Leigh, we want to make sure that those who attend the location can do so safely.

“There are a number of businesses in the area which have been closed for some time and we hope this temporary order allows people to go to the area in the knowledge that they can enjoy themselves safely.

Echo: Increased patrols - Chief Insp Ian Hughes says people are adhering to police requestsIncreased patrols - Chief Insp Ian Hughes says people are adhering to police requests

Mr Hughes added: “The order remains in place until 6pm on Sunday and our high visibility patrols will continue throughout this timeframe.”

He added: “We are working with our partners such as Southend Borough Council and Leigh Pub Watch to make sure that licensed premises within this area are supported and I thank them for their continued efforts as we make our way through the key points of the road map.”

The order is in place to the south of, and including, Rectory Grove between the junctions of Elm Road and Harley Street. It also includes High Street, Leigh Hill and New Road.

A dispersal order gives officers the power to direct anyone believed to be behaving antisocially to leave the designated area and not return.

Breaching any direction given under the order is a criminal offence and, if you do, you could be arrested.