Joint operation carried out at Cliff Gardens

November 28, 2016 by Southend Borough Council

Joint operation carried out at Cliff Gardens

Friday 25th November 2016

Earlier today the County Court Bailiff attended Cliff Gardens (with support from Council officers and the Police) and executed the warrant for possession at Cliff Gardens, Westcliff Parade.

All tents were removed from the land and the few campers who were present left without incident. Rubbish left behind has been cleared and tents and other items are being stored at the Parks nursery for collection.

This followed the Council’s application for permission to restore the original Possession Order relating to Cliff Gardens that was granted at Southend County Court on 20 October 2016. At the same hearing the Injunction, originally granted in 2015, was extended until 27th November 2017.

Mark Flewitt, Executive Cllr for Housing, says: “The execution of the warrant for possession was carried out compassionately and professionally and I thank all of those involved.

“I fully appreciate that this is a sensitive and difficult issue. However, we must emphasise that the council had exhausted every avenue available to help those who had returned to camp illegally on the cliffs. We also have a duty to uphold the law.

“Over several months we have urged those remaining to move on, and instead of facilitating rough sleeping by allowing illegal camping in our parks, we have tried to help these people to get into suitable accommodation where a professional support network is available to address their needs, or reconnect them to their local area where they can receive help. In fact one of the homeless campers has moved into accommodation.

“We will continue to offer that support, but it has to be a two way process and I just hope that those who have not been willing to engage, now start to talk to organisations that could help them to build a better future for themselves.

“In addition, this is an area that has experienced cliff slippage and is still subject to land movement. It is not legal to camp here and nor is it safe to do so. Living conditions became increasingly unsanitary, endangering their own health but also carrying a wider public health risk to people living near and visiting the area.

“Our Borough continues to have some of the best services for homeless people in the region and the winter night shelter scheme that operates until March will start again in December. We also have a fantastic group of volunteers in the town who freely give up their time and resources to provide food and shelter for those in need.”

A separate application for committal against those who have breached the injunction was heard on 21st November and three individuals were sentenced to 12 weeks in prison, suspended for two years. If any of these individuals return to the land, in breach of the injunction they are liable to be sent to prison.