A FORMER councillor and Neighbourhood Watch leader has criticised Thurrock's top cop for a lack of commitment to improving policing in Grays, saying she is hiding behind constables rather than facing up to residents herself.

Amid growing concern, highlighted in recent days on Thurrock Nub News (click red button below), about criminal and anti-social behaviour that goes unchecked in Grays High Street and other areas of the town centre, local community activist Russell Cherry says Essex Police shows a lack of imagination about how to police the area and they are poor on preventing crime.

Mr Cherry, himself a former Met Police officer who was a councillor in Chadwell St Mary before moving to Little Thurrock, where he lost in the last local elections, says it has been frustrating trying to get real action.

When he moved from Chadwell, Mr Cherry helped set up a local Neighbourhood Watch scheme but he says it lacks support from Essex Police who are more concerned about measuring crime, than preventing it.

He says: "The area is high in crime. I can tell many stories over the time I've lived here of crime and disorder.

"Essex Police has been scored highest in the country for recording crime correctly. Well done. But it is poor on prevention of crime. It's almost non-existent and no imagination is shown, other than 'Coffee with Cops'. Pop along - you can feel safe for an hour or two but your house might be burgled while you're there.

"As to detection of crime, which is expensive, we have no figures to see. When a councillor I raised the subject many times such with the Supt at a Police and Fire Commissioner meeting and in council chambers.

"I have invited the Borough Commander (Chief Inspector Claire Talbot) to Neighbourhood meetings but she sends a constable or two whom I would prefer to be out patrolling.

"They won't speak to residents directly prefer to keep us at a distance? The area is not safe and historically Essex Police has shown little interest in doing anything about it.."