THE leader of Thurrock Council joined members of the authority's housing anti-social behaviour team and enforcement as they patrolled problem areas this week.

Cllr Rob Gledhill, who is also Cabinet member for public protection, said: "The team regularly patrol areas that residents and our officers report to us as known trouble spots. I joined them on Wednesday as part of Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week.

"We visited 17 sites right across the borough where we carried out safety checks on high-rise buildings and had a chance to speak with residents who were glad to see us and welcomed the action the council is taking to deal with an issue we know can have a significant impact on people.

"We also recovered a number of gas canisters and important intelligence on who was using them.

"It was great to spend a shift out with the team not only preventing anti-social behaviour and gathering vital intelligence to direct future operations but also checking on the welfare of some new street sleepers in the hot weather whilst support is being arranged for them.

"It was also good to see how much residents welcome initiatives like this and to have an opportunity to speak to them and learn about their experiences."

The team and Cllr Gledhill visited 17 different sites in Grays, Stanford-le-Hope, Corringham, Orsett, Tilbury, Aveley, South Ockendon, and Sifford Clays.

More information about how Thurrock Council tackles anti-social behaviour can be found at: thurrock.gov.uk/anti-social-behaviour