The boss of Southend's social services has threatened legal action over London councils which continue to dump asylum seekers in the town without prior knowledge.

Jane Held said immigrants were still arriving in the borough - without the council knowing.

Since December 6 last year councils have had a legal obligation to inform other councils if they are sending asylum seekers to their area.

Once they arrive it is Southend's responsibility to look after their Health and education.

But Ms Held, director of Southend social services, said people were still arriving and the council was none the wiser.

She said: "The law changed in December, so now London boroughs have to tell us when they are sending people to live in Southend.

"We are in the process of looking at legal action available to us because we are still not being told.

"They get a bunch turn up, they are given a train ticket and an address and they are told to come here, but they still don't tell us."

Redbridge Council has admitted it does still send immigrants to Southend without the council necessarily knowing.

Ms Held said: "All the costs come to Southend and we don't get any money for that. After December 6 they were not supposed to place anyone here without our express approval, but that has not stopped them."

She said most refugees came from the London boroughs of Redbridge, Newham, and Barking and Dagenham.

State of housing forced death bid

Much of the accommodation for asylum seekers is owned by private companies and does not match up to the council's strict regulations.

Landlords of a house in which a refugee last week tried to commit suicide today admitted facilities were not ideal.

Depressed Iranian Kurd Mohamad Murd doused himself in petrol and threatened to set himself alight in a house in Burdett Avenue, Westcliff, which he shares with 19 other asylum seekers.

Southend Council will only provide accommodation for its own asylum seekers in registered hotels and guest houses and in houses approved by Environmental Health officers.

But London boroughs use profit-making private companies to house refugees.

The Ullah Group based in Clarence Street, Southend, owns the eight bedroomed house in Burdett Avenue and receives £130 per week per man, making a total of £2,600 per week. Asylum seekers are placed there by Redbridge Council.

They share washing and toilet facilities and must take it in turns to use the kitchen because it is too small.

Today a spokesman for the Ullah Group said the company was now taking steps to improve facilities.

He said: "We are given asylum seekers, do their paperwork, place them from the various councils, and put them in our accommodation.

"Unfortunately the case of Mr Murd has highlighted the conditions there, and quite rightly, because it didn't have enough amenities. However, we are under negotiations to put more amenities in the building."

Depressed - Mohammad Murd threatened to kill himself

Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY

Seaside haven for families

Many London boroughs choose Southend to house refugees because the town can offer the type of accommodation to suit large families.

Redbridge Council has sent around 17 large families to the Palace Hotel on Southend seafront because it means they can stay together.

It also admitted it should inform Southend Council if it places refugees in the town but says it is not always possible.

A spokesman said: "It all depends on the availability of accommodation on the day they come to us. We have a duty to temporarily house these people until we can assess their cases.

"Asylum seekers tend to come in large families and we find the accommodation in Southend can cater for that.

"We try to inform the council but we do acknowledge that it is not 100 per cent of the time. We find it is not consistent from council to council.

"People are placed here in Redbrige without us knowing anything about them." Newham Council admitted it houses refugees in coastal towns such as Southend, Great Yarmouth, Clacton and Margate.

A spokesman said: "We simply do not have the room. Towns on the coast have small hotels and bed and breakfasts which can put them up immediately and after 30 working days we can work on placing them elsewhere.

"We work in conjunction with Southend Council when we place asylum seekers."

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