SOUTHEND'S community safety boss says he wouldn't hesitate in declaring a major incident if the town's beaches become unsafe. 

His comments come after a council in Bournemouth made the declaration yesterday after the town's beaches were beseiged with sunseekers.

Although Southend seafront was busy yesterday, it was not deemed to be unsafe or a threat to other public services. 

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But Martin Terry, Southend Council cabinet member for community safety, said: "If it became unsafe, yes we would have to [declare a major incident] in the interests of public safety.

"As an upper tier authority, we actually have our own director of public health, who is very experienced and if he identifies there's a probem, we would have to listen to his advice."

Mr Terry added: "At the moment, he has visited the seafront a number of times and he is very complimentary about what the businesss are doing and what we're doing in that regard."