Two personal watercraft users have been handed £100 fixed penalty notices after launching jet skis at prohibited spots along the Southend foreshore, Essex Police’s Marine Unit has confirmed. The action followed public reports of launches at Two Tree Island in Leigh-on-Sea and Bell Wharf in Old Leigh, both covered by Southend’s water-based public spaces protection order (PSPO).
Public tip-offs lead to swift enforcement
Officers said community intelligence was pivotal in tracing the launches and issuing penalties. According to the force, the PSPO covers the full stretch of Southend’s foreshore from East Beach in Shoeburyness to Two Tree Island, alongside the city centre and the seafront. Under the order, there is only one approved site for personal watercraft (PWC) to enter the water: the Ness Road slipway in Shoeburyness.
“We want everyone to be able to enjoy the water safely. Southend is a busy beach and the PSPO conditions are there to protect all water users from injury or worse,” says Darren.
Police reiterated that the restrictions are designed to reduce conflict between high-powered craft and other shoreline users, especially at busy access points that double as wildlife habitats and family bathing areas. The latest enforcement comes during peak summer activity, when launches from tidal mudflats and informal slipways can pose heightened risks to swimmers and paddle craft.
What the PSPO means for jet ski users
The order seeks to channel PWC activity to a managed launch point, limiting high-speed manoeuvring in congested stretches and improving visibility for all water users. Launching at unapproved sites within the designated area can lead to on-the-spot fines and further action if breaches continue.
- Legal launch point: Ness Road slipway, Shoeburyness.
- Prohibited launch areas (examples): Two Tree Island (Leigh-on-Sea) and Bell Wharf (Old Leigh), within the PSPO zone.
- Penalty: £100 fixed penalty notice for breaching the order.
| Location | Status under PSPO |
|---|---|
| Ness Road slipway, Shoeburyness | Permitted PWC launch |
| Two Tree Island, Leigh-on-Sea | Launching not permitted |
| Bell Wharf, Old Leigh | Launching not permitted |
| Foreshore from East Beach to Two Tree Island | Within PSPO area |
Why the clampdown matters locally
Old Leigh’s working waterfront and the nature reserve around Two Tree Island attract anglers, walkers and paddlers, while the tidal creeks and mudflats restrict visibility and space for safe manoeuvre. Concentrating PWC access at Ness Road supports safer separation of fast and slow-moving craft and allows better oversight by lifeguards and police patrols along the busiest sections of the estuary.
The Marine Unit credited residents for reporting suspected breaches and encouraged continued vigilance. Information from members of the public, the force said, is especially valuable where informal slipways and car-accessible embankments tempt ad hoc launches that can evade routine patrols.
Planning a legal launch
Before towing a craft to the seafront, riders are advised to check the PSPO boundaries and local signage at access points. In non-emergencies, concerns about watercraft activity can be passed to Essex Police via standard non-urgent channels, while emergencies should be reported to 999 and the Coastguard where appropriate. Launching at unapproved sites within the PSPO zone risks immediate enforcement and additional sanctions for repeat offences.
With the school holidays underway and warmer weather drawing larger crowds, the force said it will continue visible patrols on and off the water to ensure compliance and keep the foreshore safe for residents and visitors alike.
