A COUNCILLOR has spoken up about the increasing nuisance of young people riding scooters and motorbikes around local town centres, intimidating and frightening lo al residents as well as causing traffic problems.

And he has been critical of police, who he believes are being dismissive of the problem.

Cllr Shane Ralph, who represents the Stanford East and Corringham Town ward, spoke up on the eve of the launch of new policing teams in Tilbury and Purfleet and he feels residents in his patch are being shortchanged.

Yesterday brought matters to a head for Cllr Ralph who was witness to a gang of around ten riders causing mayhem in Stanford.

He says: "The scooter problem in Stanford and Corringham is increasing. This has been ongoing for about a week now.

"Last night I saw them coming out of Wills Hill and driving crazily through Stanford. I was sure they were going to hit someone or be hit.

"I called 999 and followed them while on the phone to the police - I wasn't driving I was the passenger in a car. This was at 4.30pm, a couple of hours before there were other problems with them in Corringham.

"I asked for police attendance and it was basically turned down.

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"They just said they will log it as a report. This is such poor action by the police. I also said to 999 that we have a dedicated town centre police team so where are they?

"I didn't get an answer - perhaps they have been moved to Tilbury or Purfleet."