CRIME in Southend has dropped by more than a third compared to this time last year... but council bosses fear a “comeback” as lockdown restrictions are eased.

Southend councillors were told crime was down by 34 per cent between the beginning of March and the middle of May compared to last year.

The lockdown from the Covid-19 pandemic has contributed to these statistics, but antisocial and nuisance behaviour has remained a concern.

Tim MacGregor, policy manager at the council, told the policy and resources committee: “Overall crime seems to be down 34 per cent on last year, but there has been some increase in domestic burglary] linked to sheds and garages and some increase in anti-social behaviour, nuisance and lockdown issues.”

Martin Terry, councillor responsible for community safety, said criminals had found creative ways to move around with lockdown restrictions.

He said: “It’s fantastic but of course those figures are born out of lockdown when its much more difficult to move around and commit crimes.

“They were undertaking all sorts of tricks to carry on planning their vile trade. They were pretending they were NHS by putting stickers in their cars.

“I hope these figures continue but I think it could be wishful thinking. I think crime will start to increase again. It’s a sad thing to have to say, and I’m very happy that it’s low, and we’re all looking at lessons learnt.”

Globally, the United Nations described domestic abuse as a “shadow pandemic” with a 20 per cent rise in cases.

However, Mr MacGregor said: “While there seems to have been an increase nationally in domestic abuse, there doesn’t appear to have been a spike locally although we are taking mitigating action in this area.”

Mr Terry added: “We did decide to contact all the people we were aware of to take early intervention and let them know that support was there if they required.”

“Southend has been very good with intervention, through the officers’ hard work and people knowing where we are.”