OCCUPANTS of mobile homes on the Buckles Lane estate in South Ockendon found themselves under scrutiny when police and council officers knocked on their doors.

In a joint operation yesterday (Thursday, 25 February), Thurrock Council staff and police officers were deployed and visited 13 caravans on the site in a two hour operation to check if the occupants were paying council tax.

During the visit a vehicle was seized for not having insurance.

Thurrock Council leader Cllr Rob Gledhill said: "Make no doubt about it, the council will visit properties, knock on doors and ask questions, not just today but until the issue of the unregistered properties are fully dealt with. It is grossly unfair on the residents who pay for the services they receive from the council, Police and Fire Service to allow properties at Buckles Lane and other locations across the borough to think they can receive those services for free.

"This is another example of cross-partnership working, our Environment Enforcement and Council Tax teams were able to join forces with Essex Police to identify the households not paying their fair share, unlike most of our considerate and law abiding residents."

Inspector Terry Fisher, from the Thurrock Community Policing Team, said: "This was a really positive piece of partnership working with Thurrock Council where we supported their operation.

"During the operation we seized a vehicle for not having insurance.

"We will continue to work with them, and other partners, to tackle a range of issues across Thurrock.

"This type of partnership working is really important because no organisation can solve issues facing any community on their own."