THURROCK Neighbourhood Watch held a crime prevention event at Aveley FC's Parkside ground yesterday (Saturday, 30 October)

Essex Police liaison officer Kevin Blake and Sergeant Neil Brand met with residents and discussed local issues with Thurrock NW Chairman Roger Passfield, Thurrock NW Little Thurrock Ward Co-ordinator Marion, TNW Purfleet Ward Co-ordinator Lisa and TNW Aveley & Upland Ward Co-ordinator Srikanth Panjala.

Mr Panjala said: "The main intention of conducting this campaign is to bring more awareness within the ward to bring more people together to make safer communities working with Essex Police. It was a successful meeting.

"Thurrock Neighbourhood Watch members and volunteers are firmly committed and continuously working throughout the year and trying to create safer communities with the support of Volunteer members and Essex police."

Mr Panjala said discussions reflected on the difference Neighbourhood Watch has made, saying: "In my ward, especially on new estates where nearly 500 families live there were a lot of burglaries. In 2016 and 2017, we went through a series of home burglaries. As one of the victims, I joined Thurrock NW in 2017 and started working for crime prevention through Thurrock NW for Aveley & uplands.

"We are so happy about the residents' support and volunteers contributing their excellent cooperation in making everyone safe and comfortable from home burglary crime. However still, there are ASB and Vehicle crime cases that are regularly registered weekly and we expressed concerns on behalf of residents."

Mr Blake said: "It was great to see Thurrock Neighbourhood Watch working in partnership with Essex Police to make our streets safer. The more people looking out for each other it will only make our local environment get that feel-good feeling back.

At the end of the day Thurrock NW members offered special thanks to Essex Police and the Aveley FC management for providing the space at no cost for the community work.

If you would like to get involved in Thurrock Neighbourhood Watch, contact the team via the Essex Neighbourhood Watch website or Mr Passfield, Chair by calling 07538195221.

Mr Panjala can be contacted on 07878 044041.