Unsettling images show how the coronavirus lockdown has turned our town centres and seafronts into ghost towns.

Eerie pictures from Essex Police officers show desolate high streets, seafronts and public places.

Thurrock Gazette:

Quiet - Leigh 

Thurrock Gazette:

Deserted - Leigh Skate Park

Southend and Canvey seafronts would have usually been packed with visitors on sunny spring weekends, but sights witnessed by the officers show a stark difference.

Thurrock Gazette:

Reflections - Southend High Street

Thurrock Gazette:

Quiet - Old Leigh

It comes as the country follows the Government guidelines to stay home in an effort to help stop the spread of coronavirus.

Thurrock Gazette:

Closed - Eastgate Shopping Centre in Basildon

Thurrock Gazette:

Quiet - Southchurch Park

Shopping centres such as Basildon's Eastgate along with parks also stood empty, as the police patrolled the county.

Thurrock Gazette:

'Eerie' -  Southend beach

A spokesman for Southend Community Policing Team said: "It's eerily quiet around Southend for a Sunday afternoon.

Thurrock Gazette:

Quiet - Canvey seafront 

"That said, we’re impressed by the way our residents are committing themselves to working with the government guide lines. Thank you. We can beat this."

Thurrock Gazette:

Sunny day - Chalkwell Esplanade

Thurrock Gazette:

Shut up shop - Southend seafront