A CRACKDOWN on anti-social parking has been carried out in Tilbury in a joint operation between Thurrock Council and police.

Operation Bargo took place in response to residents' concerns about inconsiderate parking on Lansdowne Road, Tilbury, and reports made by parents who were unable to drop their children off to school safely. It tackled un-road worthy, untaxed and uninsured vehicles or vehicles bearing false plates parking on the road, and the fly-tipping of vehicle parts in the local area.

Officers enforced £150 fines on the spot to people littering, community protection notices for anti-social behaviour and penalty charge notices for parking offences.

The team took the following action:

27 vehicles examined

14 penalty charge notices issued for parking contraventions

three fixed penalty notices issued in person to owners for abandoned vehicle offences

two community protection warning notices issued requiring local businesses to desist from parking un-roadworthy vehicles on the public highway in the immediate area

one vehicle seized for no insurance

Cllr Rob Gledhill, Leader of Thurrock Council, said: "This joint operation was an overwhelming success and demonstrates that we will act against those whose anti-social behaviour causes problems for residents in our borough.

"The action taken during Operation Bargo speaks for itself and we were able to catch a number of people committing various offences within the targeted area. We are investing £1 million in extra policing and £1 million to tackle anti-social behaviour.

"By working in partnership with Essex Police, we hope this initiative will reduce the anti-social behaviour seen in this area. As a result of this operation we will also be reviewing parking in this area in the future."

Chief Inspector Richard Melton, district commander for Thurrock, said: "Essex Police and Thurrock Council continue to work together in responding to the needs of the local community.

"Tilbury residents highlighted this anti-social parking as a concern and we are pleased that we have resolved the problem by supporting enforcement action."