SOUTHEND has retained a prestigious award recognising the town as a safe and vibrant place for a night out.

The town centre was handed the purple flag by the Association of Town and City Management for the second year running.

The accolade reflects the determination of town centre traders, Southend Council and police, to promote a safer night out.

Some inititiatives include the SOS bus, which has just won a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service for its work helping vulnerable people, and the Clubwatch and Behave or be Banned schemes operated in many licensed premises.

Since receiving the purple flag last year, Southend Council says crime and disorder has reduced by 22 per cent and 60 per cent of residents questioned said they felt safer.

Tony Cox, Tory councillor responsible for public protection, waste and transport, said: “Congratulations to all involved for this tremendous achievement in winning purple flag status for the second time. “It’s a tribute to their hard work that Southend continues to be officially recognised as a safe place for a night out, incidents of crime and disorder are decreasing and people have told us they are feeling safer.”