HUNDREDS of people fearing for their safety in Southend have signed a petition for more police officers.

The petition has been signed by 1,163 people.

In the petition, Safe Southend said: “Since 2010, due to austerity cuts to budgets, Essex Police has lost 750 experienced officers and hundreds more support staff vital for running the service.

“Southend has suffered greatly, with the local press reporting many residents too scared to go out at night or even venture into the high street. Knife crime has been a major problem which is often linked with gang related drug activity, with young people exploited, acting as drug transportation.”

Violent crime in Southend rose by 28 per cent last year – with 642 more offences than in 2017.

Among the high profile crimes was the murder of Fabian Kacica outside the Forum Library in May last year.

Crime Commissioner Roger Hirst raised council tax in 2018/19 to fund an extra 150 officers – including 12 in Southend.

A further rise of £24 per household was agreed to fund 215 extra officers, including 68 dedicated to town centre policing split across the whole of Essex. This still leaves the county with fewer officers and PCSOs than in 2010 when at the same time the population has risen.