Fines issued to personal watercraft users in Leigh-on-Sea
Essex Police's Marine Unit has issued the fines after ignoring a protection order
Two personal watercraft users who ignored Southend’s water-based public spaces protection order have been issued with £100 fines by officers from the Essex Police Marine Unit.
The force received reports from the public about personal watercraft (PWCs) being launched from Two Tree Island in Leigh-on-Sea and from Bell Wharf in Old Leigh.
Marine officer PC Daren Chambers says that, thanks to the information they supplied, the Marine Unit has issued £100 fixed penalty notices to two people who were ignoring the public spaces protection order (PSPO).
The PSPO includes the whole of the Southend foreshore area from East Beach in Shoeburyness to Two Tree Island, as well as the city centre and seafront.
The only site where PWCs can be launched is the slipway in Ness Road, Shoeburyness.
“We want everyone to be able to enjoy the water safely. Southend is a busy beach and the PSPO conditions are there to protect all water users from injury or worse,” says Darren.