Concerns over '˜anti-social' behaviour by St Leonards beach huts

One said they had been camping on the promenade since Easter, with the problem getting ‘out of control’.

Helen Crichton Jenner wrote to council leader Peter Chowney, asking the borough council to take action.

She said the groups of homeless people were camped around the beach huts on St Leonards beach.

She added: “We have rented one of the seasonal beach hut chalets at Marina for the whole season, the third year that we have done so. This summer, though, our enjoyment of the beach and the beach hut have been severely marred by the people who have been camping next to and in between the huts.

“There have been numerous reports of drug taking, syringes being found and large amounts of human excrement on the lower promenade and the beach. I, along with a number of other beach hut residents, have emailed the council but nothing appears to be happening.

“We have paid more than £1,000 to rent the hut but feel we cannot freely use it with a tent set up immediately next to us.”

Helen Robinson, who runs Shop in Norman Road, St Leonards, said: “The problem seems to be getting worse and worse. It started at Easter. From a shopkeeper’s point of view, we’re trying to improve the area. They have camped along the seafront right down to west St Leonards. There are several tents by the wooden beach huts.”

Hastings Borough Council said it was trying to tackle the problem.

Its spokesman said: “We do understand the feelings of local residents and visitors. A number of issues are involved here, and we are working with colleagues both within the council and outside, including Sussex Police, to deal with these as quickly as possible.”

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