Your Southend

01/03/2025

WIN A BIG PRIZE! 👀

Today is Southend City Day - celebrating Southend’s heritage, culture, and community spirit!

To mark the occasion, we are shining a light on local heroes in the community with a very special prize… the winner will receive 2 x VIP Weekend Passes to Lazydays Festival in Priory Park this July!

All you need to do is write a comment and tag the person you’re nominating, telling us why they deserve to win this great prize.

Who do you know that consistently goes above and beyond for others? We want to hear about them!

For example, it could be someone who:

• Picks up groceries for a family member every week
• Always treats everyone to the first round
• Provides exceptional care for someone in need
• Or simply puts a smile on everyone’s face

The VIP Lazydays tickets include; fast-track entry, 'posh' loos, VIP Garden & Lounge access with stage views, table service, a premium drink and artisan snacks on arrival, a commemorative fabric souvenir wristband, and exclusive VIP entertainment.

Get your nominations in by Friday, 7th March! All entries will be judged by a panel and a winner will be selected and informed via direct message.

28/02/2025

The stage is nearly ready for the Southend City Day on Saturday, including a giant disco ball!

Check back on our pages at 9am for a very special opportunity 👀

On Saturday there will be live performances, roaming entertainment, activities for all ages, and a tempting selection of food and drink stalls.

In the evening, the main Southend City Stage will transform into ‘Disco City’! With the giant 2-metre disco ball, synchronized Xylobands, and a high-energy DJ set from Essex’s very own Denise Van Outen.

28/02/2025

A heartbreaking update from this morning.

Chichester Road in Southend has been closed following a heartbreaking incident in which a person fell from the Victoria Shopping Centre car park.

28/02/2025

Greater Anglia and c2c train fares will rise by 4.6% on 2 March.

This means an annual season ticket from Southend Victoria to London will rise by £224 to £5,120.

26/02/2025

⚠️ Traffic Alert: Emergency road closure: Spa Road in Hockley remains closed while water engineers fix a burst main.

The road was closed in both directions under the railway bridge at 9pm last night, with diversions put in place for today, Tuesday 25 February.

A spokesperson for Essex & Suffolk Water said: “A leak was reported at the end of last week and once our technicians started digging, we realised the repair was a lot more complicated than first thought.

“In order to do the repair properly and for our colleagues to work safely, we have no option but to close the road. We will work as quickly as possible so the road can be reopened.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank everyone in advance for understanding.”

A local resident, Michael Hayes, said: “There were plenty of angry faces this morning as they found the road is closed completely and westbound traffic is being diverted down Plumbrow Avenue for a very lengthy runaround.”

Angela Hooper, another local, said: “I saw an ambulance with blue lights on havnig to turn round at the station as they couldn’t get through. I hope the delay doesn’t cost someone’s life. The worst thing is that there were no workmen there.”

Arriva bus service 7 is being disrupted due to the road closure. The 7 buses are diverting via the service 8 route until Spa Road is reopened.

26/02/2025

It’s coming…

Saturday, 15th March.

25/02/2025

LATEST: More new easyJet routes from Southend Airport have been revealed this morning.

✈️ London Southend to Barcelona
✈️ London Southend to Salzburg
✈️ London Southend to Lanzarote

We've published the full schedule for these new flights on the link in the comments.

easyJet are expected to announce further destinations in the near future, to make use of their aircraft that will be based at Southend Airport.

Which other new destinations would you like to see?

24/02/2025

⚠️ Traffic warning: 38 weeks of major gas works set to cause disruption on Aldermans Hill and Southend Road in the Rayleigh/Hockley area.

Drivers and residents are being warned to expect major traffic disruption as gas roadworks are set to last for nearly 10 months.

Starting on 24th March 2025, the works will take place along Aldermans Hill and Southend Road, a key route connecting Rayleigh and Hockley. The extensive project is expected to cause significant congestion and frustration for commuters, residents, and businesses.

The project is being carried out by Cadent, the company responsible for maintaining the gas pipe network. The works involve replacing old metal gas pipes with modern, more durable plastic pipes to ensure a safer and more reliable supply.

During the process, contractors may temporarily switch off gas supplies and could need access to homes and properties. Residents affected will usually receive advance notice via letter.

22/02/2025

LATEST: A firm of medical negligence solicitors have announced they are representing patients who have been affected by actions of Consultant Gynaecologist Dr. Ali Shokouh-Amiri, at Southend Hospital.

Dr. Shokouh-Amiri was the subject of a recent medical tribunal after 100 allegations were made about his conduct, whilst he was previously working at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital in Guernsey.

The allegations put to him at the tribunal related to six women who were his patients at the hospital. Some of the allegations included:

• Inappropriate Comments: Telling a patient she was “very beautiful”, telling a patient she “looked horny”, suggesting a patient join him at the gym and repeated comments about ma********on.
• Improper Examinations: Conducting intimate examinations without a chaperone present on multiple occasions.
• Unconsented Surgeries: Removing patients’ ovaries without their consent or clear clinical justification.
• Inappropriate Behaviour: Touching, hugging, and kissing some patients during consultations.

The tribunal found that he had acted inappropriately on 24 occasions, after he admitted some allegations and undertook a professional boundaries course. He denied other allegations.

While the tribunal noted that there was no evidence of sexual motivation, it emphasised that the misconduct was serious and had the potential to undermine public confidence in the medical profession.

However, the tribunal panel of three deemed him ‘fit to practise’ and gave him a formal warning.

Francesca Paul, Partner and Medical Negligence Solicitor at Fletchers Solicitors, said: “Following these findings, many patients have come to us with further concerns related to his care during his time at Southend Hospital—part of Mid and South Essex NHS Trust—where he has practiced since November 2022.

“Our Group Actions team is now investigating claims related to his time at Southend Hospital, and we are encouraging any patients who have concerns about their treatment to come forward.”

Dr. Shokouh-Amiri is currently a gynecology consultant at Southend Hospital. No issues were raised at the tribunal about his current work, however the tribunal panel emphasised that insufficient evidence of full remediation and insight meant there was still a potential risk of recurrence of the inappropriate behaviour.

The Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust which currently employs him said it has “full confidence in his ability to provide safe, high-quality care to patients”.

Mr Shokouh-Amiri’s fate was determined by three panel members at the medical tribunal, led by Chair Mr Stephen Gowland.

21/02/2025

Lost Property: Toy left on Platform 3 at Leigh-on-Sea train station.

Chris McCarthy discovered the pink silicone item and said: “Someone left this at Leigh-on-Sea, on platform 3. I'll hand it in to the station in the morning. Hopefully we can find its owner as someone's missing out.”

21/02/2025

Latest: Southend Shakedown will return this year!

The popular Shakedown motorcycle event is making a comeback, thanks to a £100,000 funding boost from Southend City Council.

The additional funding was confirmed as part of the council’s 2025/26 budget, ensuring the popular event can go ahead after years of uncertainty caused by budget constraints, security measures, and organiser withdrawals.

Speaking at a full council meeting on Thursday, 20 February, council leader Daniel Cowan officially announced the event’s return. He stated: “Shakedown will come back and be supported in Southend.

"We want to support our tourist industry and the jobs that are linked to it, so we are increasing the events budget to boost events and tourism, generating income for businesses in the city. Our aim is to make Southend a destination that its seven million annual visitors want to return to time and again.”

The Shakedown is expected to take place on Bank Holiday Monday, 21 April, attracting thousands of bikers and enthusiasts back to the seafront.

Further details on how to take part will be released soon.

Which other Southend events should return?

Photos by Dave Jackson.

21/02/2025

What’s the best pub in Southend and why? (Current or former!)

20/02/2025

Southend’s two MPs, David Burton-Sampson and Bayo Alba have released statements following the media coverage about Doctor Ali Shokouh-Amiri at Southend Hospital.

The statements come as multiple women under the doctor’s care demand to be reassigned to a different consultant.

Dr Ali Shokouh-Amiri was deemed 'fit to practise' by a medical tribunal after he admitted 24 instances of inappropriate behaviour, from more than 100 allegations.

The allegations dated between 2017 and 2018 during his time at a hospital in Guernsey, where he worked as a consultant gynaecologist before moving to Southend Hospital in 2022.

Meanwhile, a public petition calling for his medical licence to be revoked is now approaching 15,000 signatures.

MP David Burton-Sampson said: “Both my colleague Bayo Alaba and I are aware of the situation relating to a gynaecology consultant at Southend Hospital and we share some concerns. We’re awaiting some further responses from the hospital in relation to our ongoing enquiries.

“In the meantime, a phone enquiry line has been set up for patients to call if they have concerns or questions about their gynaecological and obstetrics appointments at Southend Hospital.”

MP Bayo Alba added: “It is paramount that women feel safe while accessing gynaecological and obstetrical care. We are working together to address this and have made enquiries with the hospital. We are awaiting further responses.”

Southend Hospital bosses have said they have "full confidence" in Dr Shokouh-Amiri to provide "safe, high-quality care to patients".

A spokesperson said: “We understand the strength of feeling about this case and want to reassure women that we always have safeguarding procedures in place.

"Following the independent process, the tribunal concluded that he remains fit to practise. He continues to work at Southend Hospital in accordance with the terms of his registration.”

If you have any concerns about your appointment for gynaecology or obstetrics at Southend Hospital, you can now contact the dedicated enquiry lines:

Telephone: 0300 44 32006
Email: [email protected]

19/02/2025

‼️ ALERT: To all Southend residents and visitors.

A fraudster has put fake QR code stickers on a “large number of parking locations” across the city yesterday evening.

DO NOT SCAN THEM - They will take you to a fake payment website and will likely steal your card details.

Southend City Council are working to remove the stickers wherever possible. CCTV footage is also being reviewed. However people using the car parks are urged to be extra vigilant.

17/02/2025

Crime Update: 21-year-old man charged with 2x attempted murder following serious assault in Southend.

The incident unfolded inside a property on Stadium Road in the early hours of Sunday, 16 February. Emergency services were called to nearby Greyhound Way shortly before 5am, following reports of a man suffering from stab wounds.

Officers and paramedics arrived within minutes, swiftly administering medical assistance before the male victim was taken to hospital. His condition is now reported as stable.

During the investigation, it was determined that his injuries were sustained inside the Stadium Road address. When officers attended the property, they also discovered a woman who had suffered injuries.

A 21-year-old man was then arrested later that morning, and after extensive enquiries by the Serious Crime Directorate, charges were secured against Marlon Buchoon-Katsambe, aged 21, of Stadium Road, Southend.

He faces two counts of attempted murder, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, assault by beating, and two counts of intentional strangulation. He is due to appear at Southend Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 17 February.

Detective Chief Inspector Louise Metcalfe of the Serious Crime Directorate commended the swift response and dedication shown by all emergency services involved, saying: “This was a serious incident which rightly warranted a substantial response. We quickly had officers on the scene and across the wider Southend area carrying out enquiries yesterday, and this work continues.

“I would like to praise the efforts of responding officers, and the paramedics and hospital staff, for their tireless work across the past 24 hours. These charges are the result of diligent effort across many teams to establish what led to two people suffering these injuries.”

Reassuring the local community, she added: “While there will understandably be public concern, I would like to reinforce the message that we know this incident took place inside a private address and involved people known to each other. I remain confident there is no ongoing threat to the wider public.”

Essex Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and urge anyone with information to come forward.

You can report information by visiting the Essex Police website or by using the online Live Chat service, available 24/7. Alternatively, you can call 101 and quote incident 175 of 16 February.

For those wishing to remain anonymous, contact Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111.

16/02/2025

A stunning Southend-on-Sea sunset.

Photos by Julie Johnson.

16/02/2025

News: A doctor who removed the ovaries of two women without their consent has been deemed 'fit to practise' by a medical tribunal.

The doctor is now working as a consultant gynaecologist at Southend University Hospital.

Dr Ali Shokouh-Amiri, who admitted to the unauthorised removal of ovaries while working at a hospital in Guernsey, has been permitted to continue his medical career but received a formal warning.

During a Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) hearing, Dr Shokouh-Amiri faced over 100 allegations of inappropriate behaviour, with 24 instances proven. These included:

- Removing the ovaries of Patient C and Patient D without consent, with no clinical justification for Patient D’s o***y removal

- Touching a patient's cl****is

- Kissing and hugging a patient on two occasions

- Rubbing or touching a patient's leg

- Performing multiple intimate examinations without a chaperone present

The allegations involved six patients under his care during his time as a partner at the Medical Specialist Group (MSG) in Guernsey from 2016 to 2019.

We have asked the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust for a statement on the matter.

The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service ruled that the doctor has "shown good insight into his failures ... and put in place procedures and actions to address his failings to ensure they do not happen again".

It added that Dr Shokouh-Amiri completed a course on professional boundaries, has an "otherwise unblemished career" and was supported by extensive testimonials which "demonstrated his excellence as a clinician".

The Tribunal concluded there is a "low risk of Dr Shokouh-Amiri putting patients at a risk of unwarranted harm" and gave him a warning.

UPDATE: Christine Blanshard, Chief Medical Officer at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Dr Shokouh-Amiri has undergone a full tribunal hearing regarding historical allegations from his time at another hospital. Following this independent process, the tribunal concluded that he remains fit to practise. He continues to work at Southend Hospital in accordance with the terms of his registration. We have full confidence in his ability to provide safe, high-quality care to our patients.”

Southend Hospital say that the tribunal has made a clear determination on his fitness to practise, and that he remains fully registered and licensed.

The hospital Trust says it remains committed to transparency, upholding professional standards, and ensuring the highest quality of patient care.

It adds: “Dr Shokouh-Amiri’s position has been reviewed through the appropriate legal and professional channels, and he continues to be a valued member of our clinical team.”

16/02/2025

LATEST: Police have cordoned off Stadium Road, near the Greyhound Retail Park, with forensic investigators at the scene.

Local residents report that an incident happened at around 5am, with multiple ambulances attending the area near to the Iceland supermarket.

Part of Greyhound Way is also cordoned off.

Multiple police officers remain at the crime scene, with what appears to be blood visible on areas of the road and pavement.

UPDATE: A man is in hospital in a life-threatening condition. Police launched an attempted murder investigation and have arrested one person. Officers are maintaining a presence in Southend following the serious assault which took place inside an address.

Forensics investigation officers are photographing areas of the crime scene.

Further updates to come.

UPDATE: 11:15: Essex Police have confirmed full details of the incident. Police were first called shortly before 5am on Sunday 16 February to reports of a man with an injury in the area of Greyhound Way.

Police say they attended within minutes alongside the ambulance service and the man was rushed to hospital in a life-threatening condition.

Police quickly established that he had sustained the injuries inside a nearby address in Stadium Road. At this address, officers found a woman who had also suffered injuries, which are not life-threatening. She is also receiving hospital treatment.

Police have since arrested a 21-year-old man, from Southend, on suspicion of attempted murder. He remains in custody for questioning. The investigation is being led by Essex Police's Serious Crime Directorate.

Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Terry Balding is asking for anyone with information or concerns to get in touch with the police.

He said: “At this stage our priority is establishing the circumstances of this incident. That’s why you’ll see officers in the area, maintaining a presence and carrying out enquiries.

“This presence will be around Greyhound Way and Stadium Road and we are maintaining a cordon at this time. Please approach our officers if you have any concerns or reach out to us directly with any information which could help us.

“Within moments of the first call in to us, officers were securing a scene and working alongside ambulance service colleagues.

“We have established the incident which led to two people suffering injuries was confined to a single address, between people known to each other.

“An arrest was swiftly made and I am confident that at this stage there is no ongoing threat to the public.”

Anyone with information should contact the police as soon as possible.

You can submit a report on the Essex Police website or by using their online Live Chat service which is available 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week. It can be found at the bottom right of the homepage.

Alternatively, you can call police on 101.

Please cite incident 175 of 16 February.