Rochford Council took swift action to protect public health after discovering what it says were serious hygiene risks found at “The Best Kebab” van in Little Wakering.

The food business on Barrow Hall Road has been banned from trading following inspections by Essex Police and Council Environmental Health Officers.

Police officers raised concerns after finding the van in an “extremely poor and unsanitary condition”.

A full food hygiene inspection by the council uncovered several serious public health risks, including lacking proper handwashing facilities, unsafe food storage, and food kept at incorrect temperatures.

Council officers served a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice, stopping the business from trading straight away.

This was later confirmed by Southend Magistrates’ Court on September 29, which issued a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order and awarded full legal costs of £2,517.41 to the council.

Mike Webb, Rochford councillor for communities, wellbeing and housing committee, said: “This case shows exactly why we have food safety standards and food hygiene inspections in place.

“The conditions found inside this van were completely unacceptable and posed a real danger to anyone buying food there.

“Food safety isn’t about red tape, it’s about protecting people.

“When businesses don’t meet basic hygiene standards, they put the public at risk, and we will always act quickly to stop that from happening.

“I’d like to thank our officers and the police for working together to keep our district safe.”

Food safety regulations are in place to protect residents from harm. When food is not prepared or stored safely, it can cause serious illness.

Strict hygiene standards and enforcement are in place to ensure that everyone in the district can eat with confidence, knowing that food businesses are operating safely.

Residents who have concerns about the cleanliness or safety of a food business in the district can report it directly to the Council’s Environmental Health Team.

Reports can be made online at www.rochford.gov.uk/foodsafety.