A LEADING Thurrock councillor has said he will take concerns of local residents to the police after a weekend of anti-social activity by teenagers in a South Ockendon Park.

Ward councillor Andrew Jefferies, a member of Thurrock Council's cabinet, says he will be speaking to the borough's police commander after residents took to social media about problems in Dilkes Park and other open spaces in the town.

In particular there have been concerns about gangs of teenagers gathering to drink and to possibly take drugs - and certainly they have been using 'laughing gas cannisters, which give a temporary high.

Residents have also spoken about vandalism around the parks areas, including repeated destruction of fences meant to keep the areas secure.

Much of the mess was cleared by up by residents but they say they are becoming fed up with a lack of official action and have called on the authorities to do more.

One said: "Again some little scumbags have been using the park for their gas canisters and rubbish everywhere, my mate cleared it all up today and filled up a whole bag with the small gas canisters.

"I wonder when the police might actually do something about this and stop them causing a mess of the area."

Cllr Jefferies says he will be calling on fellow local councillors to join him in consultations with police.