RESIDENTS living in Southend’s “unofficial red-light district” claim the police operation to crackdown on street prostitution gangs is “failing” amid accusations funding for the operation has dried up.

In August of last year, Essex Police launched Operation Vimto in the Ambleside Drive area to target criminals running sex and drug gangs.

However, residents claim the operation has been a “failure” as their area remains plagued by sex trade-related crime.

Essex Police has insisted it is still working to tackle issues in Ambleside Drive, but the work has to be balanced against other demands - particularly during the busy summer months. 

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One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “These crimes are going unpunished, and residents still suffer the presence of sex workers and the kerb crawlers and the crimes that result.

“The problem persists, and it needs to be made clear to this underworld community that residents have had enough, and they will not be tolerated. This is a place for families, where children go to school and people live, and want to live in peace.”

The resident claimed they had been informed by officers that an “insufficient budget had led to the operation taking a back seat” – Essex Police were quizzed on this declined to address the allegation.

Another resident, who also wished to remain unnamed, said: “We are sick to death of living in Southend’s unofficial red-light district.

“Everyone knows what goes on here, it’s an open secret that attracts men from across the county in flash cars looking to buy sex.”

Essex Police says it is committed to Operation Vimto and will “continue to focus on street prostitution, drug activity and associated anti-social behaviour”.

A spokesman for the force said: “Our officers do spend time in the Ambleside Drive area, engaging with women who may be vulnerable and being exploited.

“This work is designed to be preventative, and we treat the women we speak with as victims and work alongside partners to ensure their welfare and to lift them out of prostitution.”

Police bosses say they have a focus on stopping kerb crawling and street prostitution, but added the priority of the operation had to be balanced against other police work.

The spokesman added: “We continue to carry out this work, but it is set against wider demand in Southend, especially throughout the summer, when we are required to respond to a higher number of emergency calls which require a priority response in the city.”