Following a meeting with local residents at his Morrison’s Superstore drop-in surgery on Saturday 19^th June, Bernard Jenkin, MP for Harwich and North Essex, has written to the Essex Chief Constable and to Tendring District Council to urge them to tackle the anti-social behaviour in Harwich more directly.

Since the restored shelter on Marine Parade has become a haven for anti-social behaviour, Harwich and Dovercourt Police have issued a dispersal order covering Marine Parade, Harbour Crescent, Harwich Green and the Promenade, but Mr Jenkin said, “Although I welcome the dispersal order, there is a danger that unless this is fully enforced, it will not be effective.  Also, simply moving these people on, who are committing the crime of anti-social behaviour, will only relocate the problem elsewhere in the town.  This has an intolerable effect on the lives of law-abiding residents.  It is not acceptable.  The law must be brought to bear.”

The shelter in question was rebuilt as part of a regeneration scheme funded by Essex County Council, Tendring District Council and Harwich Connexions, with hopes of boosting funding bids to the Heritage Lottery Fund for the restoration of Cliff Park and Seafront.

Mr Jenkin went on to say, “It is disgraceful that an important regeneration scheme like this has been hijacked by drunks and yobs.  Unless the Police and the Council tackle this behaviour then regeneration projects like the shelter will be undermined and the money wasted.”