A LOCAL councillor has called on the region's police commissioner to go face-to-face in person with his critics, rather than just taking part in a one hour video conference.

Cllr Gary Byrne, the independent group councillor who represents the Homesteads ward in Stanford-le-Hope, spoke up after it was announced commissioner Roger Hirst has set up a video conference next month for local people to raise concerns.

The online event clashes with a meeting of the Corringham, Fobbing and Homesteads forum and Cllr Byrne says it would be much better if Mr Hirst turned up there in person instead.

Cllr Byrne says Mr Hirst is reneging on previous promises to attend public meetings in Thurrock in person.

Following publication of the Nub News story about the online event, Cllr Byrne says: "My phone has been constantly ringing with people asking 'why is Roger Hirst not visiting Thurrock as promised and only prepared to indulge us via a zoom for the PFCC meeting and not live?' 

"One hour online is barely enough to scratch the surface of Thurrock's problems, Mr Hirst and his colleagues need to come to the various communities across the borough and face up to concerns in person.

"The 13th of September is the date of the next Corringham, Fobbing and Homesteads forum meeting, which means SS17 will miss the opportunity to take part.

"Would it not be better to schedule a series of meeting? 13 September is perfect timing for him to attend Thurrock as promised

"I think Mr Hirst should take the opportunity attend our forum meeting which will be led by our chair, former councillor Roy Jones, who Mr Hirst knows well so he can be assured of a fair and properly managed meeting."

Cllr Byrne has been a consistent critic of Mr Hirst, believing that Stanford and Corringham are not getting a fair deal in terms of the share of policing resources available in Thurrock. Last year, at an online council meeting he called on Mr Hirst to ensure more resources were put into the area, a call backed up by another Stanford councillor, Shane Ralph.

And Mr Hirst again found himself in Cllr Burn's crosshairs when he rejected the offer of a police office in a planned new Corringham development.