A COUNCILLOR has highlighted the problems of anti-social behavour in Corringham town centre and has toured town's shopping centre with police officers in a bid to improve efforts to mitigate concerns.

Cllr Shane Ralph, who represents the Stanford East and Corringham Town ward says there have been an increased number of incidents in the area including groups of teens that have been threatening shop owners with knives and issuing racial abuse as well as lighting fires in stairwells and throwing eggs at shop windows and staff.

Cllr Ralph says: "In recent weeks the town centre has been targeted and, as a result of this, some local traders are even shutting an hour early.

"I have met with the police and Thurrock Council's anti-social behaviour team and took them around to speak to the local shop owners that had been targeted.

"I believe this was a real eye-opening experience for them, as we know compared to other areas we are told Corringham is a low crime area.

"What we did find out is that local shops do regularly report to the police but there seems to be a problem how the location of that crime is recorded in the police stats.

"A number of actions will be put in by the police business team to support our local traders.

"The level of aggression has escalated quickly and I hope the police action will be just as quick.

"I am also asking 'what has happened to our dedicated town centre police?' as I am fed up of being told they are on other duties out of our area.

"Again I ask all local shops to report all crime and also all residents. Please ask for the crime reference number as this will help up to track what is being done.

"All incidents in the Town have been captured on the town's CCTV and local shops' cameras.

"I will also add while it is the police that are tackling the crime on the street the real effort must be made by the parents of these teenagers to charge the path their child is heading down.

"To be blunt if you child comes home with a brand new £140 coat and says he was given it or got it for £20 there is a very good chance you child is running drugs to someone or other criminal activities."