DEMANDS to reinstate Southend’s own police force has been branded “absolute rubbish” by the leader of Southend Council.

The idea of introducing a Southend Borough Police Force, separate from Essex Police, was suggested by the Southend Independents in an attempt to increase resources in the town.

However Tory council leader John Lamb said he was “astounded” by the idea, rejecting it immediately.

He said: “When I hear about a Southend private police force, it is you talking out of the top of your hat.

“The cost of running the organisation would be tremendous because you can’t just police High Street, we have to cover the whole borough. You only have to look at the British Transport Police which is a private separate force from the Metropolitan and it costs all those who want to use it a lot of money.

“It is not something where you can just say we will pluck it out of the air - you really are talking absolute rubbish.”

Independent Councillor Martin Terry called the council’s new community safety team an “absolute joke” and claimed they are powerless because the council has not implemented a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for the team to enforce.

Mr Terry said: “You say this team will be zero tolerance, but in fact they have got no powers at all.

“I am pushing for more police in this town and I want Southend to be the safest town in Essex, not one of the most dangerous, which it sadly is right now.

“July figures show that we had more crime in Southend than Clacton, Harlow and Basildon combined and it is unacceptable to businesses in the town centre and its unacceptable to me.

“This is a knee -jerk reaction that is papering over cracks by putting in a team that has got no power.”

He said he hoped the council would back the idea of Southend’s own police service. Deputy leader James Courtenay defended the new resource, adding: “We are already seeing activity, action and a reduction in anti-social behaviour, rough sleeping and the perceived public safety feel.

“Give them a chance before you write them off.”