Protect Committee Meeting May 2026

Thursday 7th May 2026, 10am

BID

Stats March - April

• £13,098.60 - value of stolen goods recovered (£5,864.65 in 2026)

• 1,158 – business visits and responses

• 94 – ASB incidents attended (44 in 2026)

• 71 - rough sleepers

• 344 – street drinkers

• 95 – begging incidents

• 345 – visitor enquiries

• 8– first aid incidents

Continuing to support the Clear, Hold, Build project. Street Ranger team conduct one daily patrol of the zone at varying times to offer a safety presence.

The Street Ranger team have liaised with the College about the biker revving their engines does not appear to have caused issues lately. Will continue to monitor.

Current focus on getting our five most hit businesses to use the ALERT system regularly – more engagement will hopefully lead others to follow suit. Street Rangers and Police Business Crime Team teamed up to engage with these businesses in April to understand what they need to utilise it more. More businesses using it, brings more awareness of subjects, incidents, and provides warning to all members.

New process for rising offenders working closely with Business Crime Team:

1. Subject has notably increasing incidents

2. BID store ban issued

3. Rangers to visit all stores the individual has stolen from recently to ensure police reports have been raised for all incidents

4. Subject details given to Business Crime Team with a Community Protection Warning (CPW) recommendation – store prohibition list provided

Late night one large group of youths are causing issues, including the recent disorder, particular congregation in the Southchurch Road location. In talks with the council about trialling the removal of the benches in this zone, which is also a drinking hot spot, to see if this has an effect.

Update from Street Ranger regarding a shop lifter that has reappeared and is targeting shops daily

Community Safety

• Daily presence, alongside city wide patrol.

• Since last meeting the team has issued 22 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) for breaches of the PSPO in the BID zone including 14 for alcohol or drugs.

• Aware of the growing ASB from a specific group of youths in the High Street and are undertaking activity to disrupt this.

• Assault and disturbances that happened on the Friday in the High Street was not exclusive to Southend, it is just that Southend has been highlighted.

Police

• Following the assault on the Friday of bank holiday weekend, 8 individuals have been identified and being criminally processed.

• There was misinformation spread from some media outlets that another incident occurred on the Saturday. This was harmful to businesses and the community; the police presence was a planned resource.

• Experiencing issues with the courts sentencing – if it will be less than 12 months then they are let go.

• Neighbourhood and Town Centre Police Teams on standby for polling stations.

• Op Union – officially starts on the 19th May but resources will start to be pulled in from this weekend (9th May). There will be an uplift in visibility and activity.

• World Cup resourcing planned.

Committee Member Updates

One business voiced concerns over the behaviour of some people using the Elmer Square and Southend Central area – leaving a mess, kicking their balls and hitting passersby. Street Rangers have spoken with the any groups they have seen who then readily stopped and clean up their mess.

AOB

BID Member Evening - Exclusively for BID members, a chance to network, hear a quick update and enjoy a free round of crazy golf.

World Cup - Guidance on TENs for late night openings: World Cup 2026

City Jam - 28th – 30th August 2026. More details.

Next Meeting - Tuesday 14th July at 10am