On Friday 11 December, the MP for Southend West invited representatives from a number of local services, charities and organisations to receive a gift to thank them for their service to the community over the past year.

Sir David was joined by the Mayor of Southend, Cllr John Lamb, and met representatives from Southend Hospital, HARP, Essex Police, the Ambulance Service, Southend Citizens Advice, Fair Havens Hospice and the Salvation Army to wish them all a very merry Christmas.

Sir David heard more about the extraordinary challenges that have faced many people this year and how Southend’s community groups have been needed more than ever. The MP was delighted to hear that thanks to the hard work of Essex Police, Southend has seen a 10.3% reduction in crime year on year and in particular a 12.8% reduction in victim-based crime. Sir David also learnt about the fantastic work that Southend’s homelessness charity, HARP, has been doing throughout the pandemic resulting in the rough sleeping numbers in our town now being less than 10%, thanks in large part to the “Everyone In” campaign.

Commenting Sir David said, “It was fantastic to meet the people who have been working tirelessly this year, in especially hard circumstances, to look after the people of Southend. They have done an absolutely fantastic job and we all owe them a great debt of gratitude.”