ANTI-SOCIAL yobs could face £100 fines in a bid to clamp down on trouble which is plaguing Leigh and Chalkwell.

The fines would form part of a public space protection order but Southend Council is facing calls to double the fines to “hurt the pockets” of troublemakers.

The fines are being put to residents and businesses as part of consultation with trouble so bad some parents are fearful of letting their children go out.

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Leigh’s Carolyne Goodall, 52, a mum-of-four, said: “If I hear something has happened, I ring him straightaway.

“I do worry about him being in Leigh all the time.This is a step in the right direction though but I don’t think it will solve everything.

“I would like to see the £100 fine increased, possibly to even something like £500.”

Failure to pay the £100 fines within 14 days could lead to prosecution.

A series of dispersal orders have been introduced across Old Leigh in recent months.

While 15 teenagers from two gangs which police believe could possibly be linked to two murder investigations, were banned from entering parts of Southend, Rayleigh and Leigh.

Ron Sverdloff, also from Leigh, said: “It’s only going to work if it’s enforced. £100 has to be a bare minimum, it would need to be doubled ideally.

“Law and order has been lost in Leigh. You have to hurt their pockets, and not their parents.”

Martin Terry, councillor in charge of community safety, insisted fines would be a “last resort.”

He said: “It isn’t going to solve all of the challenges we face and we don’t want to deter people from visiting.

“It might encourage a small minority of people who seem to want to cause trouble, to have a more respect for our town “Any responsible parent should know what they’re kids are doing. I haven’t got any concerns that it will be paid for by their parents and nothing will be done.”