Rail companies today said they will not run trains out of Southend after 11pm because they are "sick of the sheer amount of violence and vandalism".

Chief Supt Mick Thwaites of has called for better late-night public transport links serving the town as he strives to beat violent yobs terrorising the town centre.

There are no buses or trains out of Southend after 11pm, meaning anyone wishing to stay in pubs until closing time or go to nightclubs has to try to get a taxi.

First Great Eastern spokesman Peter Northfield said: "Until about 10 years ago we did have trains running infrequently throughout the night.

"The services were stopped because they were not financially viable and, to be honest, we got sick of the sheer amount of violence and vandalism. That pattern of behaviour has not changed and I cannot see us putting on later trains again in the current climate."

He added: "At the moment the last train from Southend to London is at around 11pm and even then there is a lot of trouble at weekends, despite the presence of British Transport Police at the station and on the trains.

"People are reluctant to buy tickets and we have to spend a lot of money clearing up mess and damage. It would not be worth our while running trains any later unless we received funding to do so."

A c2c spokesman said: "c2c is, at the moment, very much a commuter and day leisure travel rail service."

Published Friday November 1, 2002

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