THURROCK Police took to social media last night to highlight preventative patrols in Grays town centre as part of a number of initiatives aimed at improving the area's image.

And next week Thurrock Council has announced it will be working in partnership with police to improve the look of the area by removing flypostings and stickers on shop frontages.

Last night (Friday, 11 February) police officers from the Thurrock Town Centre Team were pictured in the High Street.

A statement on social media says: "This evening your Thurrock Town Centre Team have been conducting a high visibility patrol within Grays Town Centre.

"Along with regular patrols, PC O'Shea has been engaging with the community and acting on intelligence to target drugs and anti-social behaviour hotspots within the area to prevent crime in your town centre."

0n the same day Thurrock Council issued notice of a clean up activity to be rolled out under the name 'Operation Abbey'.

A statement says: "On Friday,18 February, Thurrock Council and will be out in force alongside a team of volunteers, to help rid Grays High Street of unsolicited graffiti, posters and stickers, as part of Operation Abbey.

"Working in partnership with the Police, charity groups and members of the public, a clean-up taskforce will be on the ground and provided with tools they need to help clear shutters and shopfronts, with the local business affected offered advice on how to report future offences."

Council leader Cllr Rob Gledhill, who is also portfolio holder for public protection, said: "Unwanted posters, stickers and graffiti are a blight on high streets right across our borough, proving to be nothing more than an eyesore while also lowering our otherwise excellent Keep Britain Tidy scores.

"I am incredible thankful for the enthusiasm already shown by our partners and volunteers, who will all be offering their time free of charge.

"Together, we will work hard to help brighten up our High Street in Grays, leaving a clear street scene which will allow the council to take action on any further stickers that are placed there. I would open the invitation to anyone who wants to come along and help. If the operation is successful we will look to rolling it out across the borough."

The team will be in Grays High Street from 10am to 2pm on Friday 18 February