CALLS by residents for Thurrock Council to tighten up enforcement around a shop which they claim is continually causing problems in their neighbourhood had an unfortunate consequence for one well-known local man who popped in to buy something and found himself on the end of a £150 fine.

Residents have made complaints about the Grays Food Centre on Clarence Road, where it has been alleged that food waste has been improperly stored, and shop paraphernalia including storage baskets, are regularly left on adjacent pavements.

However, the council says that they have found no incidents that justify the complaints but they did say they would be stepping up monitoring in the area.

Cllr Rob Gledhill, Leader of Thurrock Council and Cabinet Member for Enforcement, said: "There have been reports of littering outside this shop and the council has increased enforcement patrols in this area to target anyone littering Clarence Road.

"Visits have not resulted in any issues around improper food storage or disposal or with the disposal of commercial waste being found we are also aware of parking issues in the immediate area which have resulted in fixed penalty notices being issued.

"Thurrock Council takes a zero tolerance approach to anyone who thinks they can use the borough's streets as a litter bin or businesses that feel the rules don't apply to them and will not hesitate to issue fixed penalty notices to anyone caught dropping their litter or cigarette ends in Thurrock.

"We have increased patrols in this area to crack down on this sort of behaviour."

And well-known local man Rob Bradley, a retired driving instructor, active local photographer and community soccer referee, found himself on the wrong end of the enforcement – though he did attempt to contest his innocence.

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Mr Bradley, who lives in nearby Benson Road, says that he called at the shop – and conceded he parked illegally to do so – but placed his cig tab on the floor by his car tyre so he could retrieve it when coming out of the shop.

However, when he came out he was confronted by a warden who penalised him for littering.

In a bid to clear his name Rob asked Thurrock Council for the video taken of him when he arrived at the shop which he says would have shown him placing the cigarette down (not discarding it as litter) but he was only allowed a copy of the conversation that followed.

Rob has asked us to publish this as a warning to other would-be 'victims' that there is no tolerance, whatever the reason for getting rid of your butt!

He said: "At the end of the day I believed I had a reasonable argument but I could only prove that if I had access to the whole film. Funnily enough the council have only released the film from the warden's body cam after he says he saw me throw the tab away.

"It seems you can't fight city hall!"