More than a tonne of illegal shellfish which poses a risk to public health has been seized.

Essex Police has seized the shellfish off Southend seafront, which is unsafe for direct consumption, according to Southend's Enviromental Health team.

The shellfish poses a 'significant risk to the public health'.

The illegal shellfish were seized earlier this week by Southend's policing team.

Echo:

A spokesman from Enviromental Health Southend, said: "Despite lockdown and restrictions, illegal shellfish harvesting continues to be a major issue in Southend.

"Officers from Environmental Health are actively patrolling the seafront and with the help of Essex Police - Southend have seized in excess of a tonne of illegal shellfish in the last 24 hours.

"These actvities present a significant risk to public health as the shellfish are not safe for direct consumption."