RESIDENTS in the Stanford-le-Hope and East Tilbury areas have continued to raise concerns about a lack of action to stop four wheel drive vehicles and motorbikes causing problems in a rural community park.

It has even been claimed it is 'only a matter of time' until there is a serious accident or a death.

The problem is centered on the park created on the site of the former St Clere's Golf Club behind the new Stanford Park and Maple Park housing estates on Butts Lane in Stanford.

The park contains a number of public paths and cross country routes but residents say more and more unlicensed motor bikes are using the park - while quad bikes and four-wheel drive cars are an increasing menace.

The cars enter the site from a road adjacent to the Ingrebourne Valley landfill site off Buckingham Hill Road and bikes from near the Mucking rail crossing, where vans that bring them are often parked up.

Police have been seen visiting the site and earlier this month announced they had issued fines for breaches of Covid regulations to young bike riders. Initially the bikes were seized but they were then returned to the riders - a measure which residents shows the problem is not being treated seriously.

The riders then appeared to mock the police, with a resident reporting: "Unfortunately the riders were bragging on social media that the bikes weren't seized."

Over the weekend just gone residents reported a number of vehicles, suppling pictures and details of licence plates to police - but they say they were disappointed no officers responded by visiting the park.

One resident shared the pictures with Nub News, saying: "Another day of bikes and quads driving through the park and along the paths.

"Again numerous residents have reported it to the police and even passed over the number plates of the five vans parked up by the Mucking railway crossing. How long will it be before someone is killed or seriously injured by these reckless people?

"Let's hope the police will actually respond."