Street scene pictures cause some consternation

THURROCK'S town centre policing teams have come under a bit of flack on social media after posting a series of pictures across the borough.

The teams, who are designated to patrol town centres in Grays, Stanford-le-Hope, Tilbury, South Ockendon and Purfleet, posted the pictures on their Facebook page yesterday (Tuesday, 13 April) with the message: "It's been business as usual for the Town Centre Teams over their last set. They have been on patrol across the district."

While one of the pictures was in a near deserted Grays town centre, others were from further afield, including North Stifford village and Lakeside's West Thurrock Tesco Extra.

Residents commented that the pictures were not representative of what is really happening in town centres, with Grays highlighted as a particular concern with reports of of social grouping and people spitting on the pavement.

There was also considerable criticism of the lack of response to complaints about social distancing breaches via the police's 101 reporting service.

A spokesperson for the town centre team conceded that the pictures posted were not taken yesterday but over recent patrols.

Yesterday Essex Police's Assistant Chief Constable paid tribute to residents for staying at home See story.

Also see this related story..