A CAMPAIGN by Thurrock Council to improve the image of Grays town centre and combat anti-social behaviour has been undermined by a video clip of one of its enforcement officers urinating in a public place in sight of residents and office workers.

The clip, which was filmed just before 9am on Monday, 6 December, shows a council enforcement officer entering a waste bin area close to the Queensgate building, which is overlooked by a number of offices and homes, and urinating.

The officer carried out the act despite being just a minute's walk away from public toilets in Grays Shopping Mall and close to several local businesses that also offer toilet facilities to the public.

He is also a short walk away from his base in the council's civic offices.

The act has caused particular annoyance to those who witnessed it and supplied the video to Nub News.

A statement sent with the video said: "We have previously supplied images of members of the public using the area as toilet to the police and we have told council enforcement officers and private company enforcement officers working for the council about this but nothing has been done.

"Perhaps now we can see why."

In recent months Thurrock Council, fronted by its leader Cllr Rob Gledhill, has been shouting the odds about its efforts to improve Grays town centre and, in particular, stamp down on anti-social behaviour by members of the public.

In August Cllr Gledhill said the council want to 'let residents know that there are changes coming which will improve the high street for them and the businesses which operate there'.

He added: "We will be able to fund two dedicated Grays Town community engagement officers to prevent anti-social behaviour and enforce the Public Space Protection Order that prevents street drinking, littering and spitting in the town centre."

Yesterday (Wednesday, 8 December) Nub News informed the council about the film and its officer's actions and asked for an urgent comment. No response has been received, not even acknowledgement of receipt of the information.