Three people have been banned from a popular area of Clacton seafront in a new move to help clean up the resort's image.

Tendring Council has joined forces with Tendring police for a ground-breaking initiative following complaints about anti-social behaviour.

There were problems in the area around the West Beach last summer but they died away at the end of the season.

This year, the issue has arisen again and the council decided it is time to act.

Traders were concerned it was putting visitors and residents off as there were a number of people involved in fighting, drinking and using abusive language.

A spokesman for Tendring Council said he believed it was the first time such a move had been taken in the town.

"The unacceptable behaviour of a handful of people over recent weeks has led us to seek and obtain an exclusion order prohibiting several named individuals from the area around the West Beach," he said.

"That includes the shelters, promenade and all various levels."

Magistrates granted the council's bid to ban the trio, and efforts are being made to exclude a fourth.

Published Friday, August 1, 2003

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