POLICE in Tilbury have issued a dispersal zone order this evening – Thursday, 7 May.

It has been implemented following incidents of anti-social behaviour.

A statement from Inspector Daniel Selby, Neighbourhood Policing Inspector for Thurrock, said: "It's part of our response following two reported incidents earlier today both involving groups of teenagers reportedly damaging property and catapults being fired at residential addresses."

The order became active at 8.15pm and lasts until 8.15pm on Saturday (9 May).

It gives officers the power to direct people causing, or suspected of causing, anti-social behaviour to leave the area or face arrest.

The order covers the area from St Andrews Road in east to Fort Road in the west and from the railway line by Hume Avenue in the south up to where St Chad's Road meets Feenan Highway in the north.

Insp Selby added: "Antisocial behaviour has a real impact on people's sense of safety, and I want residents in Tilbury to know that we will not tolerate behaviour that causes fear, damage, or disruption in our community.

"Officers have taken action this evening, and this forms part of our ongoing commitment to drive down antisocial behaviour in Tilbury through strong neighbourhood policing and close partnership working.

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"Where groups repeatedly cause harm or distress, we will take firm and proportionate action to protect residents and prevent further escalation.

"Our focus is on keeping people safe, supporting victims, and ensuring Tilbury remains a place where families can feel confident in their neighbourhoods."

Police in the area had already planned a day of action tomorrow (Friday, 8 May).

A statement issued on Tuesday (5 May) said: "As part of our work to keep you safe and tackle crime in Tilbury we'll be visible in the town centre this week.

"That will include deploying our Live Facial Recognition vans this Friday (8 May).

"The van will be looking for people suspected of serious offences such as drug, violent and sexual offences, as well as thefts in addition to enforcing orders.

"Since our first deployment we've made almost 130 arrests using this technology including in connection with investigations into violent and sexual offences.

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"If you're in the town centre on Friday and are interested in how the technology works then come and say hi.

"You can read more about Live Facial Recognition on our website: https://esxpol.uk/Yv4S0."

Criminality is a rising concern for local residents - who wanted to confront police with their fears at a recent meeting of Tilbury Community Forum - but officers failed to show.

Angry residents at a recent meeting of Tilbury Community Forum.

In the wake of that new divisional commaner Chief Inspector Danny Barnes issued an apology and promised more action from his teams of officers.

He said: ""Tilbury in particular is an area of key focus and I fully recognise how deeply concerned the community are about the issues they are experiencing.

"I have spoken to the chair of the Tilbury Community Forum to express my apologies and also my commitment to working with him, the community, and our partners to deal with these issues."