A THUROCK-based Community Safety and Engagement police officer has shown his skill at basketball wyhile forging links with local schools,

In the latest of several visits to borough schools, PC Javier Rodriguez-Perez attended St Mary's Primary school in Tilbury, together with Paul James, founder of 'BBall Fundamentalz'.

BBall Fundamentalz has brought its initiative called 'Hoop it up', created to help make basketball more accessible in primary schools across the district, to Thurrock

PC Rodriguez-Perez engaged with the children at the school and assisted with running the basketball session, and was encouraged to take on the 'Gone in 60 Seconds' challenge.

PE teachers from four schools across Thurrock (Abbots Hall Primary, Purfleet Primary, Stifford Clays Primary and St Mary's) took part.

The challenge was to get as many baskets in 60 seconds, with the winner receiving some wonderful prizes!

St Mary's Primary was the last school to be visited and the score to beat was six. St Mary's PE teacher Mr Capper won first place, after securing eight baskets, but PC Rodriguez-Perez did himself proud, managing to secure seven.