A STANFORD and Corringham councillor has called on police and Thurrock Council to up their games and reassure residents in a borough town centre they are not forgotten.

Homesteads ward independent councillor Gary Byrne has called on the council, together with the local police division's community policing team, to take a more pro-active stance on issues that he says are increasingly concerning residents in Corringham.

Cllr Byrne has quoted one local woman who says she is at her wit's end and fears going into Corringham.

The woman has also highlighted the regular presence of a drug-user and rough sleeper who has been sleeping on a mattress in the Grover Walk shopping precinct.

She says: "This man has been approaching older, vulnerable people asking them for money - and not just spare change we are talking £100! He's going into shops and asking for food and money!

"I understand he has problems and he needs helping but you can see his presence is making people uncomfortable.

"I live and work in the town and shouldn't be made to feel like this.

"I know I'm not the only one that feels like this. There is zero police presence again in the town centre!

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"We are at our wit's end."

Rubbish collects in corners of the town.

Cllr Byrne says he is well aware that there is a danger of creating a climate of fear which is disproportionate to reality and recognises that proportionate social services help is probably required for the rough sleeper.

But he says he feels he has to speak out in a bid to prompt a visible public reaction from the authorities – otherwise the problems will continue.

He told Nub News: "Residents are all over me every time I go shopping. Corringham is in danger of becoming known as a feral place, even ifit's not bad all the time and there are a lot of great things that happen there.

"It's almost as if a blind eye is being turned because doing something may seem negative, but without a doubt the concern of residents is genuine.

"The emails, messages and calls I get are provenance of that and I am passing them on to the appropriate people, but I am not sure the message is getting through.

"I genuinely believe now that some people are scared to leave their homes when it's getting dark.

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"Today a local resident who also lives above the shops walked me around town. The smell and sight of pee stains and faeces is awful.

Stacked tins of unknown waste concern Cllr Byrne.

"I should not be clearing up a bin store where industrial waste is stacked so decent people can use it. God knows what I could pick up health wise. I'm sick to death of blind eyes being turned, shop owners are paying top dollar rents and rates trying to keep our town alive.

"They deserve help and council tax paying residents deserve help. And councillors don't deserve being brushed off when we raise these issues."

The issues around policing and public protection in Corringham town centre feature regularly on the agenda of Corringham, Fobbing and Homesteads Community Forum, which is due to meet next on Monday, 9 September at the New Hall on The Sorrells, starting at 7pm.

It is expected councillors, and possibly senior council officers, together with senior representatives of Thurrock Police will attend. It is open to all local residents.