POLICE in Thurrock have been highlighting their latest operation in South Ockendon under their 'Surround A Town' scheme and also activities they have carried out in the east of the borough to combat illegal motorcycling.

And a further statement has highlighted the reported drop in the number of anti-social activity across the borough - though all the information was released on the day local bus company Ensign reported further damage to its buses by miscreants using BB guns.

A statement from the force details recent work, saying: "Our officers were in South Ockendon on Wednesday, 26 January as part of their road safety awareness campaign, Surround A Town, ensuring another successful day of enforcement and engagement with the local community and drivers.

"They worked alongside the Road Safety Team and Roads Policing Unit's motorcyclists and were supported by parents and pupils from nearby Benyon Primary School, to tackle poor and dangerous driving.

"The Road Safety Team spoke to 20 drivers who were not wearing a seatbelt and a further two drivers about using a mobile phone whilst driving. In total 32 and four drivers were captured not wearing a seatbelt or using a mobile phone whilst driving respectively.

"Residents stopped by to find out more about Vision Zero, a partnership approach with Safer Essex Road Partnership, launched last September to reduce the number of serious and fatal collisions on our roads.

"Surround A Town highlights to drivers and riders the Fatal Four offences – speeding, drink or drug driving, no seatbelt and being distracted when driving, including mobile phone use.

"The fatal four are the most common causes of road accidents, yet, very easy to avoid.

"During the session, 18 HGVs and two vans were stopped and the drivers spoken to ensuring they were complying with driver regulations and all drivers had sufficient breaks. Officers discovered five HGVs were over their weight limit, resulting in fines being handed out.

"In addition, two people failed a drugs wipe test and a car was seized for no insurance."

District Commander Chief Inspector Mark Barber says he and his officers recognise that any victim of anti-social behaviour is one too many.

"My officers will continue to target those responsible, arrest where necessary and work with partner agencies to devise solutions," he says.

"Where appropriate, this may include helping to divert the behaviour of those causing problems by pointing them towards agencies which deal with issues such as alcohol and drug abuse."

The drop in incidents is, in part, due to the way breaches of public health regulations were recorded as anti-social behaviour during the first year of the pandemic.

The statement adds: "But, since businesses started returning to normal following the lifting of coronavirus restrictions last summer, our community policing team has been renewing links across the district to ensure anti-social behaviour levels remain low.

"One of our main focuses has been the misuse of off-road vehicles and we run a joint operation with Thurrock Council to seize off-road vehicles being ridden anti-socially or without a landowners' permission. Fines have been issued and bikes seized.

Following complaints from residents about motorbikes being ridden dangerously and anti-socially in Hardie Park in Stanford-le-Hope a teenage boy was charged and has been found guilty of driving a vehicle on a road or public place without due care and attention and is due to appear at Southend Magistrates' Court on 4 February for sentencing.

Chief Inspector Barber says work with Thurrock Council continues to target the areas most affected by the problem and to create individual action plans to combat the issue.

He adds: "A public space protection order covering Lakeside shopping centre and retail park enables us to tackle car cruisers and disperse crowds when necessary. Our officers also patrol with council anti-social behaviour officers and liaise closely with local businesses there.

"Key to keeping our towns safe is the work our five teams of officers dedicated to Grays, Purfleet, South Ockendon, Stanford le Hope, Corringham and Tilbury town centres do with local businesses.

"For example, in Grays, the Shop Safe radio system helps businesses alert officers to anti-social behaviour and crime and to share information.

"We know that anti-social behaviour can affect individuals and our communities. So, if you're experiencing anti-social behaviour or you see or hear about anti-social behaviour issues, we want you to report it to us so we can work with our community partners to resolve the issues.

"We want to know what you know: report incidents of anti-social behaviour on our website via Live Chat – open from 7am-11pm every day – or by completing an online report. You can also ring 101.

"If you've been a victim of anti-social behaviour, or any crime, and are feeling mentally impacted by it, contact Victim Support on 0808 1689 111."