WORRIED residents have declared ‘enough is enough’ and have organised a public meeting on how to tackle a worrying number of knife crimes in Westcliff.

The South Westcliff Community Group has decided to take action following a spate of crimes in the community by holding a meeting at the Southend and Chalkwell Community Centre on Wednesday.

The meeting will be attended by Inspector Ian Hughes of Southend’s policing team, Simon Ford, Southend Council officer for public protection, and councillors Stephen Habermel and Cheryl Nevin of the Chalkwell and Milton wards.

As recently as last week, Westcliff was put on high alert after two incidents which are alleged to have involved knives - both in Hamlet Court Road.

On Tuesday, armed police evacuated The Rumbling Tum Café after reports of a man with a knife, while armed police were called to the post office after reports a gunman held up staff.

Suzi Hawkins, one of the group’s organisers, said: “We have been working in our community for almost 20 years and have been a strong group for a change.

“We started our own ‘Rubbish Watch’ early in the 2000s and eventually got the council to take this on. It was eventually rolled out throughout the borough and later the name changed to Street Clean.

“We are non-political and try to work on issues that affect the greater community. We also help smaller groups within our area with advice and help on problems.

“If they get stuck we offer additional help and set up a meeting with appropriate people.

“This is about upwards democracy and empowering people to take charge of their community and lives. Policing is no different and we tackle any area that affects people’s lives.

“As a group, we always try to work with our councillors, council and police and find them as helpful as they can be within the constraints of their limitations.”

The meeting is open for residents of Station Road, Westcliff Station and Hamlet Court Road and the surrounding area, as well as questions being asked for the whole of Southend.

Suzi added: “You never heal a town by concentrating on one part. It usually ends up with another area falling short. We will be asking how the police are planning to go forward and how they will be keeping residents and visitors safe.”

The meeting begins at 7pm.