A COUNCIL-RUN car park will now be closed at night to clamp down on antisocial behaviour, crime and rough sleepers.

On Saturday night, a number of cars parked in the University car park, in College Way, Southend, had their windows smashed and belongings stolen.

There have also been complaints of homeless people setting up camp in the car park overnight, as well as drug dealers using it as a base.

Southend Council has said it will now be closing the car park overnight to prevent the antisocial behaviour.

Josh Lake, 23, of Southend, was one of the people whose cars were targeted on Saturday night. He had £4 in change and his headphones stolen.

He said: “Stuff like this happens everywhere but this car park in particular has changed over the past couple of months.

“I have had to take two days off work to get all this sorted, and I’ll be paying out £140 to get the windows fixed.”

He added that the break-in was typical of the antisocial behaviour, saying: “I strongly believe something needs to be done about all of the drug addicts and homeless people in and around Southend.

“They are intimidating to older people and young kids are running around while they are laying there out of their heads. If the police don’t do something soon, I genuinely believe people will take the law into their own hands.”

Tony Cox, Tory councillor for transport, waste and regulatory services, said that CCTV cameras are being installed to combat the crime.

He said: “We are aware that a number of vehicles parked in the University car park were targeted by vandals we are assisting Essex Police with their inquiries.

“The car park is patrolled by two security patrols each night. We are currently in the process of installing surveillance cameras to the car park to heighten security and deter similar instances in future. As of this week, the car park will be closed overnight due to a number of rough sleepers setting up camp.

“We urge anyone who spots a rough sleeper to report it at streetlink.org.uk. We would also urge any members of the public whose cars were damaged to report this to the police.” Essex Police was contacted for comment.