THURROCK residents and businesses are being invited to put their questions and concerns about crime and community safety at a meeting, chaired by the Deputy Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, Jane Gardner.

Deputy Commissioner Gardner will be joined at the meeting by a panel of senior representatives from Essex Police, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service and Thurrock Borough Council.

Issues expected to be addressed include:

• · Anti-social behaviour
• · Car cruising
• · Drug driven violence
• · Fire and rescue concerns

The meeting which is free and open to everyone is taking place on Thursday, 2 February, at the Emmanuel Church, Sleepers Farm Road, Chadwell St Mary, RM1 4TP from 7pm to 8.30pm. The event will also be live-streamed on the PFCC's Facebook page www.facebook.com/PFCCEssex/ where comments and questions are welcomed.

The Deputy Commissioner said: "Being able to hear directly from local communities about any concerns they have or issues they are experiencing helps us understand what more we can do to make people feel safer."

"Our public meetings are also a great way to brief residents on how we are working together with a range of partners to deliver the priorities laid out in the Police and Crime Plan and the Fire and Rescue Plan.

"Funding for more police officers, helping those suffering from domestic abuse, protecting vulnerable people and tackling gangs and serious violence are a few examples of how we are making this happen. Attendees can also hear from Essex County Fire and Rescue Service on the excellent prevention work they are doing in Thurrock to reduce the risk of harm."

Those watching the live stream on the PFCC's Facebook channel can also ask questions and post comments. Alternatively, questions can be submitted in advance by emailing them to [email protected].

A release from the Police and Crime Commissioner's office about the meeting came on the day Thurrock Nub News revealed Thurrock Council is considering cutting its funding for additional town centre police officers in the borough.