THURROCk Council leader Cllr Rob Gledhill has once again been on the front foot and out and about with council teams.

The latest in a plethora of releases from the authority shows in his latest outing he joined an operation to clamp down on 'litter louts'

The joint operation last night (Thursday, 24 March) saw Thurrock Council enforcement and Essex Police officers join forces to tackle anti-social behaviour and activities linked to discarding nitrous oxide – also known as laughing gas – canisters in car parks across the borough.

Cllr Gledhil joined officers and said: "This is yet another operation which sees us working closely with Essex Police to stamp down on anti-social behaviour and those that commit it. This is the 4th separate operation I have been on in the past two week and shows our commitment to making Thurrock a cleaner and safer place.

"We know that littering of all kinds, but especially the nitrous oxide canisters left in car parks, is an issue of concern for our residents so we are taking action to catch and punish those who think it is okay for them to behave in this way and put a stop to their selfish behaviour."

Officers will issue £150 fines on the spot to people littering canisters in the targeted areas; community protection notices (CPNs) for anti-social behaviour; and CPNs will be sent to the registered keepers of vehicles, informing them that their vehicle has been involved in environmental anti-social behaviour. Fixed penalty notices will also be given for littering or other offences witnessed by officers.