POLICE are expecting to catch more drug dealers red-handed after securing CCTV for one of Southend’s drug crime hot spots.

A mobile camera will be installed in Stanley Road, Southend, near York Road this month, after numerous complaints from residents about blatant drug activity.

Just this week CCTV has proven a successful tool, with a man charged with cannabis possession on Wednesday, after camera operators directed police to suspicious activity in High Street, Southend.

It is hoped the same will continue for Stanley Road, which residents say is a dealer’s paradise.

It is hidden from view, but connects York Road with Old Southend Road and Wesley Road, as well as Albert Road, which was the scene of a double drugs raid in July.

Joanne Smith, 45, of Albert Road, said: “This is wonderful news. It’s still really bad, despite all the good work the police have done."”

Police implemented Operation Booth in July to proactively stop drug activity in Southend. They have worked with Southend Council, which operates CCTV, to alert them to suspicious activity.

It has led to Warren Troughton, 23, of Wesley Road, Southend, being charged last Wednesday with possession of cannabis.

Chief Insp Simon Anslow, district commander for Southend, said: “I’m really pleased to hear reports of CCTV operators spotting possible drug-related activity and reporting it to my officers.

“We are hopeful in the coming weeks we will get more of these referrals once mobile CCTV cameras have been put up in Stanley Road, Southend, a location that residents tell us is a problem for them.”

Troughton has been bailed to appear at Southend Magistrates’ Court on December 11.