Calls have been made to make sure the Leigh area is safe once restrictions are lifted after a murder investigation was launched last night.

Police were called at around 6pm yesterday evening after an 18-year-old was admitted to hospital with stab wounds where he later died.

Residents have been left in shock following the violent attack.

Leigh resident Ron Sverdloff lives in the Old Town where the murder took place.

He became aware of the incident at around 9.30pm last night.

Echo: The murder scene last night. Picture: Ron Sverdloff The murder scene last night. Picture: Ron Sverdloff

He said: "It was all cordoned off with police on guard as they were all night.

"Last night I saw some photographs being taken by police by the Southend end of the Peterboat car park.

"There were at least two on guard overnight. Earlier on in the night there must have been at least ten officers and four police cars.

"It's sad to see anybody die."

Ron has been campaigning for an alcohol free area in Leigh.

He added: "We need to get some teeth with street marshals. They just watch crowds of people they don't do anything.

"I started a petition for an alcohol-free area. We certainly need some CCTV cameras. It's just going to get worse.

"Whenever the sunshine comes out it brings people far and wide and some of these people are not the most desirable people.

"Last night I walked along the beach below and if you could see all the broken bottles on the beach.

"I had a whole sack full of bottles.

"I picked up all the broken glasses this morning. I had a whole sack full of bottles.

Echo: Leftover cans found this morning. Picture: Ron Sverdloff Leftover cans found this morning. Picture: Ron Sverdloff

"There were around 40 or 50 bottles.

"It's got to end and alcohol is the common denominator."

Read more: 'Nowhere these days is safe' - community left shaken after murder in Old Leigh

Martin Terry, cabinet member for community safety said he's working hard so Southend can deal with upcoming challenges.

He said: "It's absolutely a tragic event when someone has lost their life.

"It's tragic and I'm completely saddened by this.

"My heart breaks every time this happens that someone loses their life.

"I want to reassure everyone that Essex Police are pulling in all the resources they can.

"We know we're going to be very busy and even though the pubs won't be open people will bring down their own alcohol.

"I'm pushing very hard with the Chief Constable to ensure that Southend has everything in place to deal with upcoming challenges."

Echo: Officers are still at the crime scene today. Picture: Ron Sverdloff Officers are still at the crime scene today. Picture: Ron Sverdloff

Leigh Lib Dem ouncillor Carole Mulroney said: "It's an awful event.

"The most important thing is to send our condolences to family and friends.

"It's really tragic and totally unnecessary.

"This week I was already organising with community safety officers to discuss what we do and how we prepare for when opening up happens so we don't have a repeat of last year.

"I was focusing on that, but now also how we keep people safe.

"If you're going to go out and have your exercise, keep to social distancing and let the police get on with their job.

"It would be a good idea if people just let police get on with it and deal with what they need to do."